|
What is erythromycin
 Erythromycin
is in a class of drugs called macrolide antibiotics. Erythromycin
fights bacteria in the body.
Erythromycin
is used to treat many different types of bacterial infections,
such as tonsillitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, whooping cough,
Legionnaire's disease, chlamydia, gonorrhea, skin infections,
and others.
Erythromycin
may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this
medication guide.
General medical information about erythromycin
Do not take erythromycin if you are taking terfenadine
(Seldane, Seldane-D), astemizole (Hismanal), cisapride (Propulsid),
or pimozide (Orap). Erythromycin may interact with these
medicines resulting in dangerous or life-threatening irregular
heartbeats.
Take all of the erythromycin that has
been prescribed for you even if you begin to feel better.
Your symptoms may start to improve before the infection
is completely treated.
What you should find out before taking erythromycin Do not take erythromycin if you are taking any of
the following medicines:
- terfenadine (Seldane,
Seldane-D);
- astemizole (Hismanal);
- cisapride
(Propulsid); or
- pimozide (Orap).
Erythromycin
may interact with these medicines resulting in dangerous
or life-threatening irregular heartbeats.
Before
taking erythromycin, tell your doctor if you have liver
disease. You may not be able to take erythromycin, or you
may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during
treatment.
Erythromycin is in the FDA pregnancy category
B. This means that it is not expected to be harmful to an
unborn baby. Erythromycin has been used quite extensively
during pregnancy, and it is generally considered to be safe.
Do not take this medication without first talking to your
doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during
treatment.
Erythromycin passes into breast milk but
does not appear to be harmful to a nursing baby. Erythromycin
is generally considered to be safe for use by breast-feeding
mothers. Do not take this medication without first talking
to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should take erythromycin Take erythromycin exactly as directed by your doctor.
If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist,
nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Take each
dose with a full glass (8 ounces) of water.
Erythromycin
can be taken on an empty stomach or with food or milk.
Do not crush, chew, or break the extended-release or enteric-coated
forms of erythromycin such as E-Mycin, Eryc, Ery-Tab, or
Erythromycin Delayed-Release Capsules. Swallow them whole.
Take all of the erythromycin that has been prescribed
for you even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms
may start to improve before the infection is completely
treated.
Store this medication at room temperature
away from moisture and heat.
If you miss a dose: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However,
if it is almost time for the next regularly scheduled dose,
skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed.
Do not take a double dose of this medication unless otherwise
directed by your doctor.
What happens if you overdose: Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is
suspected.
Symptoms of an erythromycin overdose include
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal discomfort.
Avoid while taking erythromycin Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Erythromycin
may increase the sensitivity of the skin to sunlight. Use
a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when exposure to
the sun is unavoidable.
Possible side effects of erythromycin If you experience any of the following serious side
effects, stop taking erythromycin and seek emergency medical
attention or contact your doctor immediately:
- an
allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the
throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
or
- liver damage (yellowing of the skin or eyes,
nausea, abdominal pain or discomfort, unusual bleeding or
bruising, severe fatigue).
Other, less serious side
effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take erythromycin
and talk to your doctor if you experience
- nausea,
vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal pain (take erythromycin
with food or milk if you experience any of these side effects);
- dizziness, fatigue, or headache;
- vaginal
yeast infection;
- a rash; or
- increased
sensitivity to sunlight.
Side effects other than
those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about
any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially
bothersome.
What other drugs will affect erythromycin Do not take erythromycin if you are taking any of
the following medicines:
- terfenadine (Seldane,
Seldane-D);
- astemizole (Hismanal);
- cisapride
(Propulsid); or
- pimozide (Orap).
Erythromycin
may interact with these medicines resulting in dangerous
or life-threatening irregular heartbeats.
Before
taking erythromycin, tell your doctor if you are taking
- digoxin (Lanoxin);
- disopyramide (Norpace);
- warfarin (Coumadin);
- theophylline (Theo-Dur,
Theobid, and others);
- midazolam (Versed) or triazolam
(Halcion);
- ergotamine (Ercaf, Cafergot, Ergostat,
Ergomar) or dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal);
-
carbamazepine (Tegretol);
- phenytoin (Dilantin);
- valproic acid (Depakote, Depakene);
- tacrolimus
(Prograf);
- cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral);
-
lovastatin (Mevacor) or simvastatin (Zocor);
- bromocriptine
(Parlodel); or
- other antibiotics.
You may
not be able to take erythromycin, or you may require a dosage
adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you
are taking any of the medicines listed above.
Drugs
other than those listed here may also interact with erythromycin.
Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription
or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals,
and herbal products. |
