O General Information and Indications:
Erythromycin is an antibiotic used to
treat certain infections caused by bacteria, such as bronchitis; diphtheria;
Legionnaires' disease; pertussis (whooping cough); pneumonia; rheumatic
fever; venereal disease (VD); and ear, intestine, lung, urinary tract, and
skin infections. It is also used before some surgery or dental work to
prevent infection. Antibiotics will not work for colds, flu, or other viral
infections.
O Information For Users:
Erythromycin comes as a capsule, tablet,
long-acting capsule, long-acting tablet, chewable tablet, liquid, and
pediatric drop to take by mouth. It is usually taken every 6 hours (four
times a day) or every 8 hours (three times a day) for 7-21 days. Some
infections may require a longer time. Follow the directions on your
prescription label, ask your doctor or pharmacist If you have any questions.
Take erythromycin exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or
take it more often than prescribed by your health care provider.
Shake the liquid and pediatric drops well before each use to mix the
medication evenly. Use the bottle dropper to measure the dose of pediatric
drops.
The chewable tablets should be crushed or chewed thoroughly before they are
swallowed. The other capsules and tablets should be swallowed whole and
taken with a full glass of water.
O Special
precautions:
Erythromycin comes as a capsule, tablet, long-acting
capsule, long-acting tablet, chewable tablet, liquid, and pediatric drop to
take by mouth. It is usually taken every 6 hours (four times a day) or every
8 hours (three times a day) for 7-21 days. Some infections may require a
longer time. Follow the directions on your prescription label, ask your
doctor or pharmacist If you have any questions. Take erythromycin exactly as
directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than
prescribed by your health care provider.
Shake the liquid and pediatric drops well before each use to mix the
medication evenly. Use the bottle dropper to measure the dose of pediatric
drops.
The chewable tablets should be crushed or chewed thoroughly before they are
swallowed. The other capsules and tablets should be swallowed whole and
taken with a full glass of water.
Continue taking erythromycin even if you feel well. Do not discontinue
taking erythromycin without informing your doctor.
O
Possible Adverse
Effects:
o Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have allergy to erythromycin,
azithromycin (Zithromax), clarithromycin (Biaxin), dirithromycin (Dynabac),
or any other medications.
o Inform your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription
medications you are taking, especially other antibiotics, anticoagulants
('blood thinners'), astemizole (Hismanal), carbamazepine (Tegretol),
cisapride (Propulsid), clozapine (clozaril), cyclosporine (Neoral,
Sandimmune), digoxin (Lanoxin), disopyramide (Norpace), ergotamine,
felodipine (Plendil), lovastatin (Mevacor), phenytoin (Dilantin), pimozide (Orap),
terfenadine (Seldane), theophylline (Theo-Dur), triazolam (Halcion), and
vitamins.
o inform your doctor if you are breast-feeding liver disease, yellowing of
the skin or eyes, jaundice, colitis, or stomach problems.
o Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are
breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking erythromycin, call your
doctor.
o if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, Inform your doctor or
dentist that you are taking erythromycin.
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.
O Possible Symptoms
of Overdose:
Though adverse effects of erythromycin are not
common, they could occur. Inform your doctor if any of the following
symptoms are severe or do not go away:
o upset stomach
o diarrhea
o vomiting
o stomach cramps
o mild skin rash
o stomach pain
If you have any of the following symptoms, call your doctor without delay:
o severe skin rash
o itching
o hives (Urticaria)
o difficulty swallowing or breathing
o wheezing
o yellowing of the skin or eyes, jaundice
o dark urine
o pale stools
o unusual tiredness
o vaginal infection
O Brand Name(s):
o ERYC®
o Ery-Tab®
o Erythromycin Base Filmtab®
o PCE® Dispertab® |
