Erythromycin is used to treat a variety of bacterial infections. It can also be used to prevent certain bacterial infections. Erythromycin is known as a macrolide antibiotic. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria. This antibiotic only treats or prevents bacterial infections. It does not affect viral infections (such as colds, flu). Using any antibiotic when it is not needed may result in it not being effective against future infections.
Take this medication as directed by your doctor, usually before meals. This medication is best absorbed when taken on an empty stomach. If nausea occurs, take with food or milk.
The dosage and duration of treatment depend on your medical condition and response to treatment. For children, the dosage also depends on age and weight.
For best results, take this antibiotic at regular intervals. To help you remember, take this medication at the same time every day.
If you are using this medication to treat an infection, continue taking this medication until you have taken the full prescribed dose, even if your symptoms go away after a few days. Stopping medication too early may cause the infection to return. Tell your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.
If you are taking this medication to prevent certain bacterial infections, take it exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without your doctor’s approval.
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain/cramping, and loss of appetite may occur. Taking this medication with food may reduce these symptoms. If these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist immediately.
Remember that this medication is prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this drug do not experience serious side effects.
Tell your doctor right away if you experience any serious side effects, including: signs of liver disease (such as persistent nausea/vomiting, yellowing eyes or skin, dark urine, severe stomach/abdominal pain), unusual tiredness, muscle weakness, difficulty speaking. , blurred vision, drooping eyelids and hearing loss.
Get medical help right away if you experience any very serious side effects, including: severe dizziness, fainting, fast/irregular heartbeat.
In rare cases, this drug may cause serious intestinal illness due to C. difficile. This may happen during treatment or several weeks or months after stopping treatment. Tell your doctor right away if you have: persistent diarrhea, abdominal or stomach pain/cramps, blood/mucus in your stool.
If you have these symptoms, do not take antidiarrheal medications or opioids as they may worsen your symptoms.
Long-term or repeated use of this medication may cause thrush or a new yeast infection. Contact your doctor if you notice white spots in your mouth, changes in vaginal discharge, or other new symptoms.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Before taking erythromycin, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it or to other macrolide antibiotics (such as azithromycin, clarithromycin) or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients that may cause allergic reactions or other problems. Ask your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: kidney disease, liver disease, a certain type of muscle disease (myasthenia gravis).
Erythromycin may cause a condition that affects the heart rhythm (QT prolongation). QT prolongation may rarely cause serious (rarely fatal) fast/irregular heartbeat and other symptoms (such as severe dizziness, fainting) that require immediate medical attention.
Your risk of QT prolongation may be increased if you have certain medical conditions or are taking other drugs that may cause QT prolongation. Before using erythromycin, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all the medications you take and if you have any of the following conditions: certain heart problems (heart failure, slow heartbeat, QT prolongation on ECG), family history of certain problems with heart (QT). prolongation of the electrocardiogram, sudden cardiac death).
Low levels of potassium or magnesium in the blood may also increase the risk of QT prolongation. This risk may increase if you are taking certain medications (such as diuretics/water tablets) or if you have severe sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting. Talk to your doctor about using erythromycin safely.
Erythromycin may reduce the effectiveness of live bacterial vaccines (such as typhoid vaccine). Before getting any shots/vaccinations, tell your doctor that you are using erythromycin.
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
Some erythromycin products may contain sodium. If you are on a salt-restricted diet or have a medical condition such as congestive heart failure, which may be worsened by high salt intake, ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially hearing loss and QT prolongation (see above).
Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk of serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medications without your doctor’s approval.
In addition to erythromycin, many drugs can affect heart rhythm (QT prolongation), including amiodarone, dofetilide, pimozide, procainamide, propafenone, quinidine, sotalol.
Other drugs may affect the removal of erythromycin from the body, which may affect how erythromycin works. Examples include azole antifungals (eg, itraconazole, ketoconazole), some calcium channel blockers (eg, diltiazem, verapamil), some antiepileptic drugs (eg, carbamazepine, phenytoin), quinupristin-dalfopristin, saquinavir, etc.
Erythromycin may slow the removal of other drugs from your body, which may affect how they work. Examples of affected drugs include bromocriptine, colchicine, some benzodiazepines (eg, midazolam, triazolam), eletriptan, ergot alkaloids (eg, ergotamine, ergot dihydroamines), certain medications to treat erectile dysfunction, ED, or pulmonary hypertension (eg, sildenafil, tadalafil). , some “statins” (eg lovastatin, simvastatin), vinblastine wait.
This medication may interfere with certain laboratory tests (such as urine tests), possibly causing false test results. Make sure laboratory personnel and all doctors know you are taking this drug.
This medicine is only prescribed for your current condition. Do not use it later for another infection unless your doctor tells you to do so.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at your usual time. Don’t double your dose just to catch up.
Store in a dry and dark place at room temperature. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications out of the reach of children and pets.
Post time: Sep-14-2023