Erythromycin

Erythromycin, a macrolide antibiotic is useful for the treatment of a number of bacterial infections. This includes skin infections, respiratory tract infections, chlamydia infections, syphilis and pelvic inflammatory disease. It is also used in conjunction with neomycin for decontaminating the bowel.

Streptococcal infection in newborns can be prevented by taking this medicine during pregnancy. Erythromycin may also be used to improve delayed stomach emptying. It can be given intravenously and orally. This medicine is not supposed to be given to a child without a doctor's advice. It is also used in the treatment of gastroparesis.

Erythromycin also has a few side effects. Common side effects include diarrhoea, vomiting and abdominal cramps. More serious side effects may include liver problems, allergic reactions and prolonged QT. To make sure Erythromycin is safe for you, tell your physician if you have the following:

• Kidney or liver disease;
• Myasthenia gravis;
• Electrolytic imbalance (such as low potassium or magnesium levels in your blood);
• A history of Long QT syndrome;
• Breastfeeding a baby or;
• Taking medicines for heart rhythm disorder.

Your doctor may have to change your treatment plan if you use drugs such as cisapride, pimozide, ergotamine or dihyfroergotamine as these drugs interfere with the proper functioning of Erythromycin.

Erythromycin usually is taken every 6 hours (four times a day), every 8 hours (three times a day), or every 12 hours (twice a day). Skipping doses should be avoided as it may increase your risk of further infection which is resistant to antibiotics.

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

• Bacterial Infections

• Diphtheria

• Pertussis

• Gonorrhea And Associated Infections

• Syphilis

• Nongonococcal Urethritis

• Gastroenteritis

• Bowel Sterilization

• Gastroparesis

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

• Allergy

• Severe Liver Impairment

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

• Abdominal Pain

• Pelvic Pain And Cramping

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Oropharyngeal Candidiasis

• Cholestasis

• Fever

• Rash

• Diarrhoea

• Thrombophlebitis

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

• How long is the duration of effect?

  The effect of this medicine lasts for an average duration of 4 to 6 hours.

• What is the onset of action?

  The peak effect of this medicine can be observed within 3 hours of oral administration.

• Are there any pregnancy warnings?

  Clear data is not available regarding the use of this medicine in pregnant women. Use only if the benefits outweigh the risks and if no other safer alternative is available.

• Is it habit forming?

  No habit forming tendency has been reported.

• Are there any breast-feeding warnings?

  A small amount of this medicine is excreted in human breast milk. Use only if benefits outweigh the risks and if no other safer alternative is available. Monitoring of diarrhea, thrush and diaper rash is necessary.

• Is It safe with alcohol?

  This medicine is found to be unsafe if consumed along with Erythromycin.

• Is it safe to drive while on this medicine?

  This medicine does not usually affects patients ability to drive or his consciousness.

• Does this affect kidney function?

  This medicine is found to be safe to use in patients with renal disease. Adjustment of dose is not required. Consult your doctor for further details.

• Does this affect liver function?

  Caution must be taken in patients with liver disease. Adjustment of dose is needed. Kindly consult your doctor before taking this medicine.

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

• Missed Dose instructions

  The missed dose can be taken as soon as you remember. However, the missed dose should be skipped if it is almost time for your next dose.

• Are there any overdose instructions?

  Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

• India

• United States

• Japan

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

Below is the list of medicines, which contains Erythromycin as ingredient

• Erythrocin 250 MG Tablet

  Pfizer Ltd

• Stanmycin 250 MG Tablet

  Standard Pharmaceuticals Ltd

• Q Mycin 250 MG Tablet

  Que Pharma Pvt. Ltd

• Eltocin 500 MG Tablet

  Ipca Laboratories Pvt Ltd.

• Erythromycin 250 MG Tablet

  Abbott Healthcare Pvt. Ltd

• Althrocin 500 MG Tablet

  Alembic Ltd

• Erypal 250 MG Tablet

  Jagsonpal Pharmaceuticals Ltd

• Erycon 250 MG Tablet

  Concept Pharmaceuticals Ltd

• Erythrokem 250 MG Tablet

  Alkem Laboratories Ltd

• Stanmycin 125 MG Syrup

  Standard Pharmaceuticals Ltd

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

It works by passively diffusing through cell membranes and reversibly binding to the 50S subunit of the bacterial ribosome. This prevents protein synthesis in the bacterial cells which can either stop their growth or cause death.

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

Whenever you take more than one medicine, or mix it with certain foods or beverages, you"re at risk of a drug interaction.

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• Interaction with Alcohol

  Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

• Interaction with Lab Test

  False-positive urinary catecholamines may result.

• Interaction with Medicine

  • Protease inhibitor like amprenavir and ritonavir may increase erythromycin's serum concentration.
  • Erythromycin decreases clearance of carbamazepine, cyclosporine, and triazolam, alfentanil, bromocriptine, digoxin (~10% of patients), disopyramide, ergot alkaloids, methylprednisolone; may decrease clearance of protease inhibitors.
  • Erythromycin may decrease theophylline clearance and increase theophylline's half-life by up to 60% (patients on high-dose theophylline and erythromycin or who have received erythromycin for >5 days may be at higher risk).
  • Decreases metabolism of terfenadine, cisapride, and astemizole resulting in an increase in Q-T interval and potential heart failure.
  • Inhibits felodipine (and other dihydropyridine calcium antagonist) metabolism in the liver resulting in a twofold increase in levels and consequent toxicity.
  • Death has been reported by the potentiation of pimozide's cardiotoxicity when given concurrently with erythromycin. Use contraindicated.
  • May potentiate the anticoagulant effect of warfarin and decrease the metabolism of vinblastine.
  • Concurrent use of erythromycin and lovastatin and simvastatin may result in significantly increased levels and rhabdomyolysis.

• Interaction with Disease

  Impaired Liver Function

  Erythromycin should be used with caution in the patients with a history of liver disease. Frequent monitoring of liver function tests is necessary. Dose adjustments are to be made based on the severity of liver injury.

  Qt Prolongation

  Inform your doctor if you have arrhythmia, any heart disease or drugs that prolong QT interval such as psychiatric drugs and anti-arrhythmic drugs.

  Myasthenia Gravis

  Erythromycin should be used with caution in the patients with the history of Myasthenia Gravis as it may aggravate the weakness in these patients. Dose adjustments or an alternate medicine should be prescribed based on the medical condition.

• Interaction with Food

  Take Erythromycin at least 30 minutes before or 2 hours after meals. Consumption of grapefruit juice is not recommended as it may increase the concentration of Erythromycin and can cause undesired effects.

• Ques : What is Erythromycin?

  Ans : Erythromycin is a macrolide antibiotic helpful in treating a number of bacterial infections.

• Ques : What are the uses of Erythromycin?

  Ans : This medication is useful in treating infections of tonsils, sinus, ear, nose, throat, skin and soft tissues caused due to bacteria.

• Ques : What are the side effects of Erythromycin?

  Ans : Side effects include Nausea, Vomiting, Abdominal pain and Diarrhea. Consult a doctor if these side effects persist for a longer duration of time.

• Ques : Are there any storage instructions for Erythromycin?

  Ans : Keep this medication in a cool and dry place and away from pets as well as kids. Do not refrigerate this durg.

• Ques : Can the use of Erythromycin cause diarrhea?

  Ans : Diarrhea is one of the most common side effects of this medication. This is because this medicine basically works by killing the harmful bacteria and sometimes it interferes with the functioning of good bacteria which leads to diarrhea.

• Ques : How long does Erythromycin take to work?

  Ans : The medication takes about a few days to start working, however, you would start feeling better just after taking this drug. Take this drug for the duration prescribed by the doctor to cure the infection completely.

• Ques : What if I don't get better after using an Erythromycin?

  Ans : It is important to visit a doctor and tell him/her if you do not see any improvement in your medication condition even after taking this drug. Your doctor might recommend some other alternative medication or alter the dose in such a case.

• Ques : Can I stop taking Erythromycin when my symptoms are relieved?

  Ans : Do not stop taking this drug if you start feeling better as doing so can result in recurring symptoms. It is vital to complete the full course of medication to get the most out of this drug and to treat the infection completely.

• Ques : Can the use of Erythromycin cause infertility?

  Ans : There is no firm evidence to suggest that the use of Erythromycin will cause infertility in males or females.

• Ques : Are there any changes required in the dietary regime during the course of treatment with Erythromycin?

  Ans : Consumption of grapefruit juice is not suggested as it may affect the absorption of this drug.

• Erythromycin-Drug Information Portal [Internet].druginfo.nlm.nih.gov 2022 [Cited 28 May 2022].Available from:

  https://druginfo.nlm.nih.gov/drugportal/name/erythromycin

• Erythromycin-DrugBank Online [Internet].go.drugbank.com 2022 [Cited 28 May 2022].Available from:

  https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB00199

• ERYTHROMYCIN Suspension,solution-DailyMed [Internet].dailymed.nlm.nih.gov 2022 [Cited 28 May 2022].Available from:

  https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/search.cfm?labeltype=all&query=ERYTHROMYCIN