Erythromycin

Created: Friday, May 09, 2008 Print

Erythromycin is the active ingredient of Adco-Erythromycin, Betamycin, Erymycin AF, Ilosone, Purmycin, Spectrasone, Xeramel, Erythrocin IV, Eryderm, Ilotycin and Stiemycin.

Erythromycin is also one of multiple active ingredients found in Zineryt (Erythromycin + zinc).

General information

Erythromycin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic effective in the treatment of upper and lower respiratory tract infections, uncomplicated skin and soft tissue infections, middle-ear infections and sexually transmitted diseases caused by susceptible organisms.

It is commonly used as an alternative in people allergic to penicillin and related antibiotics.

It is important to note that this medication is only effective against bacterial infections - if your infection is the result of a viral or fungal infection, it will be ineffective.

Antibiotic resistance - when bacteria develop the ability to defend themselves against the effect of an antibiotic - occurs frequently with many antibiotics. The most common causes of this are when patients do not complete the prescribed course in full, allowing bacteria to recover from treatment, and by using antibiotics for non-bacterial infections such as cold and flu.

Erythromycin should best be taken one hour before or two hours after a meal. It may however cause nausea, diarrhoea and stomach cramps, and in this case the antibiotic should be taken with meals.

Erythromycin is commonly used as a topical solution for the treatment of acne.

How does erythromycin work?

Erythromycin functions by inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis - it thus prevents bacteria to produce specific proteins essential for their survival.

Fast facts

Drug schedule: schedule 4

Available as: erythromycin is available as capsules, suspension, syrup, topical solutions and as injection

What does it do? Erythromycin has an antibiotic effect

Overdose risk: low

Dependence risk: low

Is erythromycin available as a generic ? yes

Is erythromycin available on prescription only? yes

User information

Onset of effect: it may take a few days for the full beneficial effect to be reached.

Duration of action: up to 12 hours.

Dietary advice: erythromycin should best be taken one hour before or two hours after a meal.

Stopping this medicine: do not stop taking this medication until you have finished the course as prescribed by your doctor - infection may recur with premature discontinuation.

Prolonged use: There is a slim risk of liver damage during prolonged use of the drug; periodic liver function tests are advised.

Special precautions

Consult your doctor before using this drug if:

you have a liver disease
you have heart rhythm disorders
if you are allergic to any other antibiotics
if you are taking other medication

Pregnancy: avoid. Potential risk to the foetus has been reported. Consult your doctor before use, or if you are planning to fall pregnant.

Breastfeeding: avoid. This medication is passed through breast milk and may affect your baby adversely. Consult your doctor before use.

Porphyria: avoid. This medication may cause serious adverse effects. Consult your doctor before use.

Infants and children: this medication is safe for use in children at the recommended dose.

The elderly: no special precautions need to be taken.

Driving and hazardous work: no special precautions need to be taken.

Alcohol: no special precautions need to be taken.

Possible side effects

Side effect	Frequency		Consult your doctor
Side effect	Common	Rare	Only if severe	In all cases
stomach pain	x		x
nausea/vomiting	x		x
diarrhoea	x		x
hearing loss		x		x
dizziness		x		x
swelling of lips/ face and neck		x		x
difficulty speaking		x		x
difficulty breathing		x		x
hives, itch, rash		x		x
fever		x		x
heart rhythm disturbance		x		x
yellowish discoloration of skin or eyes		x		x

Interactions

Drug interactions

alfentanil	increased risk of erythromycin toxicity
felodipine	increased risk of felodipine toxicity
cimetidine	increased risk of erythromycin toxicity or even hearing loss
ciclosporin	increased risk of ciclosporin toxicity
bromocriptine, cabergolide	increased risk of bromocriptine/cabergolide toxicity
ergot alkaloids	ergotism is possible
statin cholesterol lowering drugs	possibility muscle pain and spasms
antacids containing magnesium and aluminium	decreased effect of azithromycin
warfarin	increased risk of warfarin toxicity
carbamazepine	increased risk of carbamazepine toxicity
terfenadine	increased risk of cardiac toxicity
digoxin	increased risk of digoxin toxicity
oral contraceptives	decreased efficacy of the pill
theophylline	increased risk of theophylline toxicity