A macrolide antibiotic; active against S. pneumoniae, S. aureus, N. gonorrhoeae, M. pneumoniae, H. pylori, C. trachomatis, and H. influenzae in vitro (MIC90s = S. pyogenes, S. pneumoniae, E. faecalis, or H. influenzae infection (ED50s = 0.78, 8.7, 12.7, and 30.3 mg/kg, respectively); decreases plasma levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β and increases survival in mouse model of LPS-induced sepsis at 100 mg/kg