Erythromycin

(er ith roh MY sin)

Introduced: 1952

Class: Antibiotic, erythromycins

Prescription: USA: Yes Canada: Yes

Controlled Drug: USA: No Canada: No

Available as Generic: Yes

Brand Names: Apo-Erythro Base, Apo-Erythro-ES, Apo-Erythro-S, E.E.S., E-Mycin, E-Mycin E, E-Mycin 333, Eryc, Eryderm, Erygel, Ery-par, EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin, Erythromid, Eryzole [CD], Ilosone, Ilotycin, Novorythro, PCE Dispertab, PCE500, Pediamycin, Pediazole [CD], Robimycin, Wyamycin E, Wyamycin S.

Principal Uses

As a Single Drug Product: This well-tolerated and versatile antibiotic is used to treat a broad variety of common infections. The more important among these are (1) skin and skin structure infections; (2) upper and lower respiratory tract infections, including "strep" throat, diphtheria and several types of pneumonia; (3) gonorrhea and syphilis; and (4) amebic dysentery. It is also used for the long-term prevention of recur­rences of rheumatic fever. Effective use requires the precise identifica­tion of the causative organism and determination of its sensitivity to erythromycin.

How This Drug Works: This drug prevents the growth and multiplication of susceptible organisms by interfering with their formation of essen­tial proteins.

Available Dosage Forms and Strengths

Capsules — 125 mg, 250 mg

Capsules, enteric-coated — 125 mg, 250 mg

Drops — 100 mg per ml Eye ointment — 5 mg per gram

Gel — 2%

Oral suspension — 125 mg, 250 mg per 5-ml teaspoonful

Skin ointment — 2%.

Tablets — 500 mg

Tablets, chewable — 125 mg, 200 mg, 250 mg Tablets, enteric-coated — 250 mg, 333 mg, 500 mg Tablets,

film-coated — 250 mg, 500 mg Topical solution — 1.5%

Usual Adult Dosage Range: 250 to 1000 mg/6 hours, according to nature and severity of infection. Total daily dosage should not exceed 8 grams. For endocarditis prophylaxis: 1 gram 2 hours before procedure and 500 mg 6 hours later. Note: Actual dosage and administration schedule must be determined by the physician for each patient individually.

Dosing Instructions: Nonenteric-coated preparations should be taken 1

hour before or 2 hours after eating. Enteric-coated preparations may be taken without regard to food. Regular uncoated capsules may be opened and tablets may be crushed for administration; coated and prolonged-action preparations should be swallowed whole. Ask phar­macist for guidance.

Usual Duration of Use: Continual use on a regular schedule for 3 to 5 days is usually necessary to determine this drug's effectiveness in control­ling responsive infections. For streptococcal infections: not less than 10 consecutive days (without interruption) to reduce the possibility of developing rheumatic fever or glomerulonephritis. The duration of use should not exceed the time required to eliminate the infection.

This Drug Should Not Be Taken If

• you have had an allergic reaction to any form of erythromycin previ­-ously.

• you have active liver disease.

Inform Your Physician Before Taking This Drug If

• you have a history of a previous "reaction" to erythromycin.

• you are allergic by nature: hay fever, asthma, hives, eczema.

• you have taken the estolate form of erythromycin previously.

Possible Side-Effects (natural, expected and unavoidable drug actions) Superinfections (see Glossary).

Possible Adverse Effects (unusual, unexpected and infrequent reactions)