Erythromycin and its Uses
Generic Erythromycin is an antibiotic used to treat certain infections caused by bacteria, such as bronchitis; diphtheria; Legionnaires' disease; pertussis (whooping cough); pneumonia; rheumatic fever; venereal disease (VD); and ear, intestine, lung, urinary tract, and skin infections.
Generic Erythromycin is a macrolide antibiotic, which has an antimicrobial spectrum similar or slightly wider to that of penicillin, and is often used for people who have an allergy to penicillins.
Generic Erythromycin is also used before some surgery or dental work to prevent infection.
Antibiotics will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections.
|| Top || Working Mechanism of Erythromycin
Generic Erythromycin works by preventing bacteria from producing proteins that are essential to them. Without these proteins the bacteria cannot grow, replicate and increase in numbers. Generic Erythromycin therefore stops the spread of infection and remaining bacteria are killed by the body's immune system or eventually die.
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Erythromycin Dose
Missed Dose of Erythromycin
Take the missed dose of Erythromycin as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose of Erythromycin and take the next one as directed. Do not take a double dose of Erythromycin unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
Excess Dose of Erythromycin
Generic Erythromycin in excess dose may show symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal discomfort.
Conditions for Storage of Erythromycin
Store Erythromycin at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Potencies of Erythromycin
Erythromycin Tablets Erythromycin 250 mg & Erythromycin 500 mg
Cream: Erythromycin 3%
Gel: Erythromycin 4%
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Food and Drug Interactions with Erythromycin
- Generic Erythromycin must not be taken by people taking any of the following medicines:
- astemizole
- cisapride
- eletriptan
- ergotamine
- dihydroergotamine
- mizolastine
- pimozide
- terfenadine.
This is because erythromycin can raise the blood levels of these medicines, resulting in an increased risk of serious side effects.
- Generic Erythromycin may also increase the blood levels of the following medicines:
- alfentanil
- bromocriptine
- buspirone
- carbamazepine
- ciclosporin
- cilostazol
- clozapine
- digoxin
- disopyramide
- felodipine
- galantamine
- methylprednisolone and possibly other corticosteroids
- midazolam, triazolam and possibly alprazolam
- quetiapine
- quinidine
- reboxetine
- sildenafil
- tacrolimus
- tadalafil
- theophylline (in addition theophylline may decrease the blood level of erythromycin, making it less effective)
- valproate
- zopiclone.
If the blood levels of these medicines are raised by Generic erythromycin it may lead to an increase in the effects of these medicines, but also a possible increased risk of their side effects. Combined use should therefore be well monitored.
- Generic Erythromycin may also increase the blood levels and hence anti-blood-clotting effects of the anticoagulants nicoumalone and warfarin. As this may increase the risk of bleeding, people taking these combinations, particularly elderly people, may need more frequent monitoring of their blood clotting time so the dose of anticoagulant can be adjusted if necessary.
- Generic Erythromycin may also increase the blood levels of the cholesterol-lowering medicines, atorvastatin and lovastatin. This may increase the risk of side effects on the muscles (myopathy) from these medicines.
- The following medicines may increase the blood level of erythromycin, thereby increasing the risk of its side effects:
- cimetidine
- protease inhibitors such as ritonavir, lopinavir and amprenavir.
- If you are taking a combined oral contraceptive pill there may be a very low risk that Generic Erythromycin may make it less effective at preventing pregnancy. Although the risk of this is very low, the personal and ethical consequences of an unwanted pregnancy can be very serious. For this reason the Family Planning Association recommends that women taking combined oral contraceptives should use an extra method of contraception (e.g. condoms) while taking a short course of Erythromycin, and for seven days after finishing the course. If the seven days run beyond the end of a pill packet, a new packet should be started without a break (in the case of ED pills the inactive tablets should be omitted).
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Contraindications with Erythromycin
Generic Erythromycin is contraindicated in known sensitivity or allergy to any of its ingredients.
|| Top || Precautions with Erythromycin
Generic Erythromycin should be used with caution in the following
- Abnormal heart rhythm seen on the heart monitoring trace (ECG) as a 'prolonged QT interval'
- Abnormal muscle weakness (myasthenia gravis)
- Decreased kidney function
- Decreased liver function
- Life long inherited blood diseases which can cause a variety of symptoms, including mental health problems (porphyrias)
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Adverse effects with Erythromycin
The adverse effects associated with Erythromycin include:
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Abnormal heart beats (arrhythmias)
- Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Inflammation of the liver (hepatitis)
- Reversible hearing loss (usually only after large doses)
- Disturbances of liver function
- Allergic skin reactions
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