Erythromycin is an antibiotic used to treat and prevent infections caused by erythromycin-sensitive organisms. Erythromycin works effectively against infections that weaken organs such as upper and lower respiratory tract, eyes, ears, mouth, skin, soft tissues, and stomach etc. Erythromycin is used for preventing or treating pre- and post- operative trauma, burns, rheumatic fever, and other infections like osteomyelitis, urethritis, gonorrhea, syphilis, lymphogranuloma venereum, diphtheria, prostatitis, and scarlet fever.
Do not take Erythromycin if you are allergic to erythromycin or any ingredient contained in the product, or if you are taking “statins” like simvastatin, or medicines like, mizolastine, tolterodine, amisulpride, terfenadine, astemizole, cisapride orprimozide, ergotamine, dihydroergotamine, and domperidone.
Erythromycin is not recommended for pregnant and lactating women. Always talk to your doctor before taking Erythromycin.
Erythromycin may cause some side effects although these side effects may not be seen in everybody. If you experience severity in any of the following side effects then stop using the medicine immediately and contact your physician.
- Allergic reaction, characterized by shortness of breath, itching or skin rash, swelling of the face/lips/tongue, fever, painful joints
- Increase in eosinophils (white blood cells)
- Irregular heartbeat, ventricular tachyarrhythmia, palpitations
- Loss of hearing
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia. Upper abdominal discomfort
- Confusion
- Seizures
- Vertigo
- Hypotension
- Hepatitis and related symptoms like jaundice
You should take Erythromycin as prescribed by your doctor. The doctor will decide the dosage depending upon the severity and type of the infection. You should swallow the whole tablet with water.
The usual dose prescribed for adults (including children above 8 years) is 1-2 g per day with 250 mg tablets. This medicine may be taken before or after food.
Overdose should always be reported to the doctor immediately. You can take the missed dose if you forgot to take the tablet. However, you should not take the missed dose if it is time for next dose. This could lead to double dosing. Do not stop taking this medicine until you doctor asks you to stop. Infections will become worse if Erythromycin is stopped suddenly without informing your doctor.
Erythromycin is an antibiotic used to treat infections caused by erythromycin-sensitive organisms, such as upper and lower respiratory tract infections, ear infections, skin and soft tissue infections, oral infections, eye infections, gastrointestinal infections, prophylaxis pre- and post- operative trauma, burns, rheumatic fever, and other infections like osteomyelitis, urethritis, gonorrhoea, syphilis, lymphogranuloma venereum, diphtheria, prostatitis, and scarlet fever.
Talk to your doctor if you have any medical condition related to kidneys, liver, heart (irregular heart rhythm), porphyria, and any history of diarrhea, nausea, vomiting with usage of antibiotics.
