Erythromycin Medication - Uses & Side Effects

Erythromycin is an antibiotic oral medicine. Its action may be either bacteriostatic or bactericidal depending on the sensitivity of the microorganism and the concentration of the drug. It is used to treat a wide variety of infections; mostly it is used to those of the throat, ears and skin. This medication is for topical use only. Clean and dry the affected area before applying this medication.

Dosages of Erythromycin

• Erythromycin may be taken with or without food.
• Erythromycin is metabolized mainly by the liver and caution should be used in patients with abnormal liver function. Take erythromycin at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.
• Do not take this medication with, or just after, fruit juices or carbonated drinks.
• Certain brands of erythromycin may be taken with meals; check with your doctor or pharmacist.

Uses of Erythromycin

• Erythromycin is an antibiotic used to treat many kinds of infections, including:
• Erythromycin is an antibiotic used to treat many kinds of infections, including:
• Acute pelvic inflammatory disease
• Gonorrhea
• Intestinal parasitic infections
• Legionnaires' disease
• Listeriosis
• Pinkeye
• Rectal infections
• Reproductive tract infections
• Skin infections
• Syphilis
• Upper and lower respiratory tract infections
• Urinary tract infections
• Whooping cough
• Erythromycin and its derivatives should not be used in patients with known hypersensitivity to these drugs or any ingredient in the formulations.
• Erythromycin estolate is contraindicated in persons with pre-existing liver disease or dysfunction and during pregnancy.

Side Effect of Erythromycin

• The most frequent side effects of oral erythromycin preparations are gastrointestinal and are dose-related. They include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea and anorexia.

Warning and precautions before taking of Erythromycin

• Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines.
• If you are taking this drug, then it may cause a severe form of intestinal inflammation.
• If you develop diarrhea, then you should contact your doctor immediately.

Drug Interaction

If you are taking Erythromycin, Oral with certain other drugs, then the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. So it is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Erythromycin, Oral with the following:

• astemizole
• carbamazepine
• cisapride
• colchicine
• cyclosporine
• digoxin
• dihydroergotamine
• dofetilide
• doxercalciferol
• entacapone
• theophylline
• warfarin

Overdose of Erythromycin

Abdominal cramps, diarrhea, fatigue, irritation of the mouth, loss of appetite, nausea, sore tongue, or vomiting. These side effects should disappear as your body adjusts to the medication.

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