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Erythromycin is a prescription medication used to treat infections caused by bacteria.

Erythromycin belongs to a group of drugs called macrolide antibiotics. These work by killing or stopping the growth of the bacteria that cause infections.

This medication comes in capsule, tablet, long-acting capsule, long-acting tablet, chewable tablet, suspension, and pediatric drop forms for oral use. It is usually taken 3 to 4 times daily.

This medication also comes in topical solution and gel forms and as an ophthalmic ointment.

Do not chew, divide, or break the long-acting capsules and tablets. Swallow these whole and take with a full glass of water.

This medication is also available in an injectable form to be given directly into a vein (IV) by a healthcare professional.

Common side effects of erythromycin include stomach upset, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach cramps, mild skin rash, and stomach pain.

Ophthalmic erythromycin can also cause blurred vision. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how erythromycin affects you.

Oral:

Oral erythromycin is a prescription medication used to treat infections caused by bacteria, such as respiratory tract infections, intestinal infections, ear infections, urinary tract infections, skin infections, and venereal disease.

Topical:

Topical erythromycin is a prescription medication used to treat acne vulgaris. The ophthalmic ointment is used to treat infections of the eye.

Injectable:

Injectable erythromycin is a prescription medication used to treat infections caused by bacteria, such as respiratory tract infections, intestinal infections, urinary tract infections, skin infections, and venereal disease.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Serious side effects have been reported with erythromycin. See the “Erythromycin Precautions” section.

Oral:

• Common side effects of oral erythromycin include the following:
• Upset stomach
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Stomach cramps
• Mild skin rash
• Stomach pain

Topical:

Common side effects of topical erythromycin include the following:

• Irritation at the site of application, including dryness, redness, itching, and burning

Injectable:

Common side effects of oral injectable erythromycin include the following:

• Irritation at the injection site
• Skin rash

This is not a complete list of erythromycin side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

• Other antibiotics
• Anticoagulants, such as warfarin (Coumadin)
• Astemizole (Hismanal)
• Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
• Cisapride (Propulsid)
• Clozapine (Clozaril)
• Colchicine
• Cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune)
• Digoxin (Lanoxin)
• Disopyramide (Norpace)
• Ergotamine
• Felodipine (Plendil)
• Lovastatin (Mevacor)
• Phenytoin (Dilantin)
• Pimozide (Orap)
• Terfenadine (Seldane)
• Theophylline (Theo-Dur)
• Triazolam (Halcion)
• Verapamil (Calan, Verelan)

This is not a complete list of erythromycin drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Oral:

Serious side effects have been reported with erythromycin including the following:

• Severe skin rash
• Itching
• Hives
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Wheezing
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes
• Dark skin
• Pale stools
• Unusual tiredness
• Vaginal infections

Topical:

Serious side effects have been reported with erythromycin including the following:

• Irritation at the site of application, including dryness, redness, itching, and burning
• Redness, itching, stinging, or burning of the eye

Ophthalmic erythromycin can also cause blurred vision. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how erythromycin affects you.

Injectable:

Serious side effects have been reported with erythromycin including the following:

• Cardiac complications, including QT prolongation and ventricular arrhythmias
• Allergic reactions with skin reactions ranging from mild rash to widespread redness, necrosis, and detachment of the epidermis

Do not take erythromycin if you:

• are allergic to erythromycin or to any of its ingredients
• are taking terfenadine (Seldane)
• are taking astemizole (Hismanal)

Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of erythromycin, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving this medication.

Before taking erythromycin, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:

• are allergic to erythromycin or to any of its ingredients
• are allergic to azithromycin (Zithromax), clarithromycin (Biaxin), or dirithromycin (Dynabac)
• have or have had yellowing of the skin or eyes
• have liver problems
• have heart problems
• have stomach problems, especially colitis
• are pregnant or breastfeeding

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Erythromycin falls into category B.

There are no well-done studies that have been done in humans with erythromycin. In animal studies, pregnant animals were given this medication, and the babies did not show any medical issues related to this medication.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Erythromycin has been detected in human breast milk. Because of the possibility for adverse reactions in nursing infants from erythromycin, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or to stop use of this medication. The importance of the drug to the mother should be considered.

Oral:

Take erythromycin exactly as prescribed.

This medication comes in capsule, tablet, long-acting capsule, long-acting tablet, chewable tablet, suspension, and pediatric drop forms for oral use. It is usually taken 3 to 4 times daily.

Do not chew, divide, or break the long-acting capsules and tablets. Swallow these whole and take with a full glass of water.

Topical:

This medication also comes in topical solution and gel forms and as an ophthalmic ointment.

Injectable:

This medication is available in an injectable form to be given directly into a vein (IV) by a healthcare professional.

If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take two doses of erythromycin at the same time.

Oral:

Take erythromycin exactly as prescribed.

This medication comes in capsule, tablet, long-acting capsule, long-acting tablet, chewable tablet, suspension, and pediatric drop forms for oral use. It is usually taken 3 to 4 times daily.

Do not chew, divide, or break the long-acting capsules and tablets. Swallow these whole and take with a full glass of water.

Topical:

This medication also comes in topical solution and gel forms and as an ophthalmic ointment.

Injectable:

This medication is available in an injectable form to be given directly into a vein (IV) by a healthcare professional.

If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take two doses of erythromycin at the same time.

If you take too much erythromycin, call your healthcare provider or local Poison Control Center, or seek emergency medical attention right away.

If erythromycin is administered by a healthcare provider in a medical setting, it is unlikely that an overdose will occur. However, if overdose is suspected, seek emergency medical attention.

Oral:

• Store tablets and capsules at room temperature.
• Store liquid medication in the refrigerator. Throw away unused medication after 14 days.
• Keep this and all medicines out of the reach of children.

Topical:

• Store topical erythromycin at room temperature.
• Keep this and all medicines out of the reach of children.