ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy of macrolide antibiotics on patients with lower respiratory tract infection. MethodsA total of 146 patients with lower respiratory tract infections were selected from January 2011 to January 2014 in the Department of Respiratory Medicine of our hospital and divided into low risk and high risk group. Based on the clinical characteristics of the patients, low risk treatment plan was erythromycin capsule 0.25 g once, 3 times/day plus compound liquorice mixture, followed by clarithromycin 0.25 g once, 2-3 times/day plus compound liquorice mixture or clarithromycin 0.25 g once, 2-3 times/day plus compound liquorice mixture; high risk group treatment was macrolide antibiotics (erythromycin, clarithromycin) 0.25 g once, 3 times/day and second generation cephalosporins (cefaclor or cefuroxime) 0.25 g once, 3 times/day plus compound liquorice decoction. ResultsThe clinical seven-day curing rate was 54.1%, and the total effective rate was 93.1%. For low risk treatment regimen, the sevenday curing rate was 63.6%, and the total effective rate was 94.9%; for high risk treatment regimen, the seven-day curing rate was 34.0%, and the total effective rate was 89.4%. Acute bronchitis had high curing rate which was 70.1%. ConclusionMacrolide antibiotics (erythromycin, clarithromycin) oral administration in the treatment of lower respiratory tract infection is reliable and effective, which is worth promoting in clinical application.