What is Erythromycin (Erythrocin)?
Erythrocin Tablets contain a medicine called Erythromycin.
Erythromycin comes in 250 mg and 500 mg strengh pills
A wide variety of bacterial infections are treated or prevented by Erythromycin. It belongs to the group macrolide antibiotics. Bacteria growth is inhibited by Erythromycin. It doesn't work for viral infections (eg: flu, common cold). You shouldn't take antibiotics when it is not needed. Erythromycin is widely prescribed for chest infections.
Recommendations for use of Erythromycin (Erythrocin)
Erythromycin is an antibiotic used for the treatment of a number of bacterial infections
Erythrocin may be prescribed for the treatment and prevention of the following conditions:
Respiratory tract infections
Skin infections
Diphtheria
Pelvic inflammatory disease
Syphilis
Intestinal amebiasis
Legionnaire's disease
Pertussis
Further it may also be used for many other infections or disease that are not listed above.
Dosage and direction of taking Erythromycin (Erythrocin)
Read the Medication Guide and the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start using Erythrocin and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Take Erythromycin tablet orally as prescribed by your doctor with a full glass of water usually prior to a meal. This medication is best absorbed when it is taken on an empty stomach.
In case nausea occurs the medication can be taken with meals or milk.
There is a bitter taste if you crush Erythromycin. Swallow the whole tablet without chewing or crushing it.
Your doctor will work out the dosage for you based on your age, medical condition, response to treatment and other medications that you are taking.
Always try to take Erythromycin at evenly paced times.
Take Erythromycin (Erythrocin) exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take in doses which are either larger or for longer than what is recommended by your doctor.
If you missed a dose take it as soon as you remember. If it is too close to your next dose then skip the missed dose and take the regular dose. Should never double the dose in order to make up for the missed dose.
This is an antibiotic which needs to complete the fully prescribed amount, even if the symptoms improve after a few doses. The bacteria may continue to grow if you stop the medication early resulting in a return of the infection.
Take Erythromycin exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take in doses which are either larger or for longer than what is recommended by your doctor.
Missed Dose of Erythromycin (Erythrocin)
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time to take your next dose. Do not take an dose of medicine to make up the missed dose.
Overdose of Erythromycin (Erythrocin)
If you think you have taken more than the required dose contact a poison control center or emergency room at once. NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
How does Erythromycin (Erythrocin) work?
Erythromycin (Erythrocin) displays bacteriostatic activity or inhibits growth of bacteria, especially at higher concentrations. By binding with the bacterial rRNA complex, protein synthesis and subsequent structure and function processes critical for life or replication are inhibited. Erythromycin interferes with aminoacyl translocation, preventing the transfer of the tRNA bound at the A site of the rRNA complex to the P site of the rRNA complex. Without this translocation, the A site remains occupied, thus the addition of an incoming tRNA and its attached amino acid to the nascent polypeptide chain is inhibited. This interferes with the production of functionally useful proteins, which is the basis of this antimicrobial action.
Erythromycin increases gut motility by binding to Motillin, thus it is a Motillin receptor agonist in addition to its antimicrobial properties.
Precautions before taking Erythromycin (Erythrocin)
You should not take Erythrocin if you are allergic to Erythrocin or to similar medicines.
Before taking Erythrocin, tell your doctor if you have:
have any allergies to the ingredients or allergies to any other medication
have kidney disease
have lung disease
have myasthenia gravis-a type of muscle disease
heart disease
have slow heartbeat
have QT prolongation in the EKG
have family history of the abov
Erythromycin may cause QT prolongation which affects the heart rhythm.
Risk of QT prolongation will be increased by low levels of potassium and magnesium in the blood. This risk may increase if you are taking certain drugs or certain conditions like diarrhea, sweating and vomiting. Discuss with your doctor how to use Erythromycin safely and effectively.
While you are taking Erythromycin do not take any live bacterial immunizations (such as typhoid vaccine) as it may not work well unless your doctor instructs you to do so.
If you are on a salt restricted diet or if you have congestive heart failure you need to check with your doctor as some Erythromycin products may contain sodium which may worsen by the increased salt intake.
About other prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Taking Erythrocin together with certain medicines or products may cause serious, life-threatening side effects.
Side Effects of Erythromycin (Erythrocin)
Erythrocin may have unwanted side effects in some people. All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects.
Tell your pharmacist or doctor as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking Erythrocin.
Stomach pain/ cramping
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Nausea
Loss of appetite
You may reduce these symptoms by taking Erythromycin with food.
Inform your doctor immediately if you experience any of the serious side effects mentioned below.
Unusual tiredness
Blurred vision
Signs of liver disease (yellowing skin or eyes, dark urine, nausea, vomiting, severe abdominal pain
Muscle weakness
Slurred speech
Hearing loss
Drooping eyelids
Irregular heartbeat
Dizziness
Fainting
A very serious allergic reaction is extremely rare with Erythrocin. In case you show any of the following symptoms get to the emergency clinic
Skin rash
Skin blistering
Chills
Diarrhea
Fast heartbeat
Muscle or joint pain
Chest tightness
The above list includes very serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation. These side effects are very rare. Tell your pharmacist or doctor if you notice anything that is making you feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed above may occur in some patients. Do not be alarmed by the lists of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them. Ask your pharmacist or doctor if you have any questions.
Interaction with Erythromycin (Erythrocin)
Inform your doctor about any medications that you are taking including prescription medications, over the counter medications, vitamins, supplements and herbal remedies. Do not start, stop and change the dosage of any medicine without your doctor's permission.
Some of the medications that may interact with Erythromycin is
Clindermycin
Digoxin
Domperidone - an anti-sickness medicine
Simvastatin - cholesterol lowering medicine
Pimozide and amisulphide - medicines for mental health
Astemistole, terfenadine, mizolastine - antihistamine medicine
Ergotamine, dhirydroergotamine - migraine medicine
Inform your doctor of all the medicine that you are taking at the moment.
Some of the Disease interactions are:
Impaired liver function - This medicine should be used with caution in patients with a known history of liver diseases due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects.
QT Prolongation - This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with a known history of arrhythmias, heart diseases, and patients who are on medicines that prolong QT intervals such as psychiatric drugs and anti-arrhythmic drugs.
Myasthenia Gravis - This medicine should be used with caution in patients with a known history of myasthenia gravis due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Erythromycin is safe to take during your pregnancy and while you breast feed.
Consumption of grapefruit juice is not recommended during treatment with this medicine due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects.
This list is not complete and there are many other medicines that can interact with Erythrocin. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list with you of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you.
Storage of Erythromycin (Erythrocin)
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Store at 15°C - 30°C (59°F - 77°F); protect drug from excessive light, humidity, and temperature over 30°C (86°F)
Keep Erythrocin tablets in the container that they came in and keep the container tightly closed.
Throw away capsules that are no longer needed or expired (out of date).
Medicines should not be disposed of via waste water or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. This will help to protect the environment.
Erythrocin should not be used after the given expiration date.
Scientific Information about Erythrocin or Erythromycin
Formula: Erythromycin | C37H67NO13
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