Abstract: This invention relates to a method for treating humans having hypertriglyceridemia. Specifically, this invention provides for administration of an erythromycin compound that reduces triglyceride levels in human plasma. In particular, this invention teaches administration of clarithromycin, troleandomycin, erythromycin, and azithromycin for treating human patients with hypertriglyceridemia.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a novel method for treating human patients with hypercholesterolemia with a macrolide antibiotic. More specifically, this invention is directed to the oral administration of an erythromycin compound or an erythromycin derivative for treating hypercholesterolemia. Most specifically, this invention teaches the novel oral administration of clarithromycin, troleandomycin, erythromycin, or azithromycin for treating human patients with hypercholesterolemia.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a novel method for treating humans with liver diseases or liver disorders with a macrolide antibiotic. Many different liver disorders can be treated with the claimed invention but this invention is specifically directed to treating nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, alcoholic hepatitis, and Reye's Syndrome. More specifically, this invention is directed to the oral administration of an erythromycin compound or an erythromycin derivative for the treatment of liver disease or liver disorders. The routes of administration can include oral, intramuscular, subcutaneous, transdermal, intravenous or other common routes of administering a drug to a patient. Alternate routes for patients diagnosed with alcoholic hepatitis or Reye's Syndrome are extremely important as oral administration would not be effective due to the patient's clinical symptoms.

Abstract: The present invention provides a simple, pharmacological method for treating obesity without risk of undesirable side effects. It has been discovered that intake of a megadose of a macrolide antibiotic creates an anorexigenic reaction in the human sufficient to result in weight loss. This method can also be used advantageously to assist non-obese persons in losing weight. The present invention relates to a method of treating obesity, comprising the steps of identifying a patient needing to lose weight and administering an appetite suppressing dose of a macrolide antibiotic compound to the patient. The dose of the macrolide antibiotic preferably ranges between a dose greater than a normal clinical dose used to treat bacterial infections and a maximum dose capable of being safely received by the patient without toxicity.