I. Erythromycin Fact File

Erythromycin is available under the following brand names:

• E-Base
• E-Mycin
• E.E.S.
• Ery-Tab
• ERYC
• EryPed
• Erythrocin
• Ilosone

II. Erythromycin Medication

Erythromycin medication is a macrolide antibiotic. It is used to treat infections caused by bacteria.

Erythromycin medication works by preventing bacteria from producing proteins that are essential to them. Without these proteins the bacteria cannot grow, replicate and increase in numbers. Erythromycin medication therefore stops the spread of infection and remaining bacteria are killed by the body's immune system or eventually die.

Erythromycin medication is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that is active against a wide variety of bacteria that cause a wide variety of infections. Erythromycin medication may be used to treat infections of the upper or lower airways, skin or soft tissue, eyes or ears. Erythromycin medication may also be used to treat certain sexually transmitted infections, oral and dental infections, and to prevent infections in people who at risk, for example due to surgery, trauma or burns.

Generic Erythromycin is used for:

• Acne
• Alternative to penicillin for bacterial infections in people allergic to penicillin
• Bacterial infection of the middle ear (otitis media)
• Bacterial infection of the outer ear canal (bacterial otitis externa)
• Bronchitis
• Chronic inflammatory disorder of the facial skin (acne rosacea)
• Diphtheria
• Gonorrhoea
• Infection of the lungs and airways (chest or lower respiratory tract infection)
• Infection of the nasal passages, sinuses or throat (upper respiratory tract infection)
• Infections of the stomach and intestines
• Inflammation of bone due to infection (osteomyelitis)
• Inflammation of the eyelids due to infection (blepharitis)
• Inflammation of the prostate gland due to infection (prostatitis)
• Inflammation of the sinuses due to infection (sinusitis)
• Inflammation of the throat due to infection (pharyngitis)
• Inflammation of the tonsils due to infection (tonsillitis)
• Inflammation of the urethra due to infection (urethritis)
• Inflammation of the voice box due to infection (laryngitis)
• Legionnaires' disease
• Oral and dental infections
• Pneumonia
• Prevention of infection following surgery, burns, trauma or dental procedures
• Scarlet fever
• Skin or soft tissue infections
• Syphilis
• Whooping cough

Bacterial infections: Erythromycin Information

The extent of infection is generally determined by how many organisms are present and the toxins they release. Bacterial infections are caused by the presence and growth of microorganisms that damage host tissue.

Antibiotics/ Antibacterial: Erythromycin Information

Antibacterials specfically act against bacterial cells. The ideal antibacterial or antimicrobial compound displays a selective toxicity. This means that it is harmful to the microbe (the bacteria, fungi or virus) without being harmful to the host (you). In reality, many antimicrobials have a relative toxicity. Antimicrobial is a broader category that includes antifungal, antiviral, antiprotozoal or antibacterial compounds.

(Erythromycin) antibiotics destroy bacteria in different ways. Some short-circuit the processes by which bacteria receive energy. Others disturb the structure of the bacterial cell wall, as shown in the illustration above. Still others interfere with the production of essential proteins.

Side effects of (Erythromycin) Antibiotics

Some of the more common side effects of Antibiotics (Erythromycin) may include:

• Soft stools or diarrhea
• Mild stomach upset

You should notify your doctor if you have any of the following side effects of Erythromycin:

• Vomiting
• Severe watery diarrhea and abdominal cramps
• Allergic reaction (shortness of breath, hives, swelling of your lips, face, or tongue, fainting)
• Vaginal itching or discharge
• White patches on your tongue.

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III. Useful links

http://www.cdc.gov/

http://www.fda.gov/

http://www.fda.gov/cder/ogd/

http://www.nih.gov/

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi

http://www.health.gov.on.ca/

National Library of Medicine

World Health Organization

http://www.mayoclinic.com/index.cfm

MedicineNet.com

Drugdigest.org

Healthsquare.com

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a682381.html

http://www.drugdigest.org/DD/DVH/Uses/0,3915,239%7CErythromycin,00.html

http://www.lef.org/protocols/prtcl-018.shtml

http://www.anti-biotic.com/antibact.html

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/articles/11387-4.asp

Pharmacy sites

http://www.roche.com/home/company/com_hist.htm

http://www.healthdigest.org/Bactrim-DS(Oral)_2006_PRO.php

http://www.hsforum.com/stories/storyReader$1509

http://www.hsforum.com/stories/storyReader$1516

http://www.hsforum.com/stories/storyReader$1504

http://www.people.vcu.edu/~urdesai/atc.htm#Process%20of%20clotting

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