Macrolide antibiotics Macromolecules

A major aim of enteric coating is protection of drugs that are sensitive or unstable at acidic pH. This is particularly important for drugs such as enzymes and proteins, because these macromolecules are rapidly hydrolyzed and inactivated in acidic medium. Antibiotics, especially macrolide antibiotics like erythromycin, are also rapidly degraded by gastric juices. Others, such as acidic drugs like NSAID s (e.g., diclofenac, valproic acid, or acetylsalicylic acid) need to be enteric coated to prevent local irritation of the stomach mucosa. 

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