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Erythromycins  (Systemic)

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Contents of this page:

Brand Names

Some commonly used brand names are:

In the U.S.—

  • E-Base1
  • E-Mycin1
  • ERYC1
  • Ery-Tab1
  • E.E.S.3
  • EryPed3
  • Erythro3
  • Erythrocin6
  • Erythrocot6
  • Ilotycin 1
  • Ilosone2
  • My-E6
  • PCE1
  • Wintrocin6

In Canada—

  • Apo-Erythro1
  • Apo-Erythro E-C1
  • Apo-Erythro-ES3
  • Apo-Erythro-S6
  • E-Mycin1
  • E.E.S.3
  • Erybid1
  • EryPed3
  • ERYC-2501
  • ERYC-3331
  • Erythrocin5
  • Erythrocin6
  • Erythromid1
  • Ilosone2
  • Ilotycin4
  • Novo-rythro2
  • Novo-rythro6
  • Novo-rythro Encap1
  • PCE1

Note:

For quick reference, the following erythromycins are numbered to match the corresponding brand names.
This information applies to the following medicines:
1.  Erythromycin Base (er-ith-roe-MYE-sin)
2.  Erythromycin Estolate (er-ith-roe-MYE-sin ESS-toe-layt)
3.  Erythromycin Ethylsuccinate (er-ith-roe-MYE-sin eth-ill-SUK-sin-ayt)
4.  Erythromycin Gluceptate (er-ith-roe-MYE-sin gloo-SEP-tayt)
5.  Erythromycin Lactobionate (er-ith-roe-MYE-sin lak-toe-BYE-oh-nayt)
6.  Erythromycin Stearate (er-ith-roe-MYE-sin STEER-ate)
‡  Generic name product may be available in the U.S.
§  Generic name product may be available in Canada
*  Not commercially available in the U.S.
†  Not commercially available in Canada

Category


Description

Erythromycins (eh-rith-roe-MYE-sins ) are used to treat many kinds of infections. Erythromycins are also used to prevent ''strep'' infections in patients with a history of rheumatic heart disease who may be allergic to penicillin.

These medicines may also be used to treat Legionnaires' disease and for other problems as determined by your doctor. They will not work for colds, flu, or other virus infections.

Erythromycins are available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage forms:



Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For erythromycins, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to erythromycins, or any related medicines, such as azithromycin or clarithromycin. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy—Erythromycin estolate has caused side effects involving the liver in some pregnant women. However, none of the erythromycins has been shown to cause birth defects or other problems in human babies.

Breast-feeding—Erythromycins pass into the breast milk. However, erythromycins have not been shown to cause problems in nursing babies.

Children—This medicine has been tested in children and, in effective doses, has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems in children than it does in adults.

Older adults—This medicine has been tested and has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults. However, older adults may be at increased risk of hearing loss, especially if they are taking high doses of erythromycin and/or have kidney or liver disease.

Other medicines—Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking or receiving erythromycins, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

Other medical problems—The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of erythromycins. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:


Proper Use of This Medicine

Generally, erythromycins are best taken with a full glass (8 ounces) of water on an empty stomach (at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals). If stomach upset occurs, these medicines may be taken with food. If you have questions about the erythromycin medicine you are taking, check with your health care professional.

For patients taking the oral liquid form of this medicine:

For patients taking the chewable tablet form of this medicine:

For patients taking the delayed-release capsule form (with enteric-coated pellets) or the delayed-release tablet form of this medicine:

To help clear up your infection completely, keep taking this medicine for the full time of treatment, even if you begin to feel better after a few days. If you have a ''strep'' infection, you should keep taking this medicine for at least 10 days. This is especially important in ''strep'' infections. Serious heart problems could develop later if your infection is not cleared up completely. Also, if you stop taking this medicine too soon, your symptoms may return.

This medicine works best when there is a constant amount in the blood. To help keep the amount constant, do not miss any doses. Also, it is best to take the doses at evenly spaced times day and night. For example, if you are to take 4 doses a day, the doses should be spaced about 6 hours apart. If this interferes with your sleep or other daily activities, or if you need help in planning the best times to take your medicine, check with your health care professional.

Dosing—

The dose of erythromycin will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of erythromycin. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The number of capsules or tablets or teaspoonfuls of suspension that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are taking erythromycin.

Missed dose—

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. This will help to keep a constant amount of medicine in the blood. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage—

To store this medicine:


Precautions While Using This Medicine

If your symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


Side Effects of This Medicine

Side Effects of This Medicine

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.


Additional Information

Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although these uses are not included in product labeling, erythromycins are used in certain patients with the following medical conditions:

Other than the above information, there is no additional information relating to proper use, precautions, or side effects for these uses.

Revised: 08/14/1997

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