The following information is a summary about Ery-Tab. It is not intended to replace a doctor's instructions.
What is erythromycin?
Erythromycin is in a group of drugs called macrolide antibiotics. Erythromycin fights
bacteria in the body.
Erythromycin is used to treat many different types of infections caused by bacteria.
Erythromycin may also be used for purposes other than those listed here.
What is the most important information I should know about erythromycin?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to erythromycin, or if you are also
taking astemizole (Hismanal), cisapride (Propulsid), pimozide (Orap), or terfenadine (Seldane).
Erythromycin may interact with these medicines and could cause dangerous or life-threatening
heart rhythm disorders.
Before taking erythromycin, tell your doctor if you have liver disease or myasthenia
gravis. You may not be able to take erythromycin, or you may require a dosage adjustment or
special tests during treatment.
Do not crush, chew, break, or open an enteric-coated or delayed-release pill. Swallow the pill whole. The enteric-coated pill has a special
coating to protect your stomach. Breaking the pill could damage this coating. The delayed-release
pill is specially made to release medicine slowly in the body. Breaking the pill would cause too
much of the drug to be released at one time.
Avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays (sunlamps or tanning beds).
Erythromycin can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and sunburn may result. Use a
sunscreen (minimum SPF 15) and wear protective clothing if you must be out in the sun.
Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you
have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop
the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.
Take this medication for as many days as it has been prescribed for you even if you
begin to feel better. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated.
Erythromycin will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
erythromycin?
Do not take this medication if you are allergic to erythromycin, or if you are taking
any of the following medicines:
-
astemizole (Hismanal);
-
cisapride (Propulsid);
-
pimozide (Orap); or
-
terfenadine (Seldane).
Erythromycin may interact with these medicines and could cause
dangerous or life-threatening heart rhythm disorders.
Before taking erythromycin, tell your doctor if you have liver disease or myasthenia
gravis. You may not be able to take erythromycin, or you may require a dosage adjustment or
special tests during treatment.
FDA pregnancy category B: This medication is not expected to be harmful to an
unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Erythromycin can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use
this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take erythromycin?
Take erythromycin exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take it in larger doses or
for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Take each dose with a full glass (8 ounces) of water.
Erythromycin can be taken on an empty stomach or with food or milk.
Do not crush, chew, break, or open an enteric-coated or delayed-release pill. Swallow the pill whole. The enteric-coated pill has a special
coating to protect your stomach. Breaking the pill could damage this coating. The delayed-release
pill is specially made to release medicine slowly in the body. Breaking the pill would cause too
much of the drug to be released at one time.
The chewable tablet form of erythromycin must be chewed before swallowing.
Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose. To be sure
you get the correct dose, measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup, not
with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for
one.
Take this medication for as many days as it has been prescribed for you even if you
begin to feel better. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated.
Erythromycin will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.
This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any
doctor who treats you that you are using erythromycin.
Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose,
skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this
medicine.
Symptoms of an erythromycin overdose may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach
pain, or hearing loss.
What should I avoid while taking erythromycin?
Avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays (sunlamps or tanning beds).
Erythromycin can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and sunburn may result. Use a
sunscreen (minimum SPF 15) and wear protective clothing if you must be out in the sun.
Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you
have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop
the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.
Erythromycin side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic
reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using erythromycin and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious
side effects:
-
chest pain, uneven heartbeats, feeling light-headed or fainting;
-
nausea, stomach pain, low fever, lost appetite, dark urine,
clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
-
diarrhea that is watery or bloody.
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue
taking erythromycin and talk with your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects:
-
mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach pain;
-
dizziness, headache, feeling tired;
-
vaginal itching or discharge; or
-
mild itching or skin rash.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your
doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect erythromycin?
Before taking erythromycin, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
-
digoxin (Lanoxin);
-
sildenafil (Viagra);
-
disopyramide (Norpace);
-
warfarin (Coumadin);
-
theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theobid, and others);
-
alprazolam (Xanax) or triazolam (Halcion);
-
ergotamine (Ercaf, Cafergot, Ergostat, Ergomar) or
dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal);
-
carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenytoin (Dilantin), or valproic
acid (Depakote, Depakene);
-
tacrolimus (Prograf);
-
cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral);
-
lovastatin (Mevacor) or simvastatin (Zocor);
-
bromocriptine (Parlodel);
-
cilostazol (Pletal);
-
quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex);
-
vinblastine (Velban); or
-
other antibiotics.
If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to take
erythromycin, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.
There may be other drugs not listed that can affect erythromycin. Tell your doctor about
all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals,
herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication
without telling your doctor.
Where can I get more information?
-
Your pharmacist has additional information about erythromycin written for health
professionals that you may read.
What does my medication look like?
Erythromycin is available with a prescription generically and under several brand names.
Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.
-
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share
your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
