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- $Unique_ID{BRK03147}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{erythromycin}
- $Subject{E.E.S 200 400 Abbott E-Mycin Boots Eramycin Wesley Eryc Parke-Davis
- EryPed Abbott Ery-Tab Erythrocin Stearate Filmtabs Erythromycin Base Ilosone
- Dista Pulvules PCE Dispertab Robimycin Wyamycin S Robins Wyeth Antibiotic
- erythromycin bacterial infections, infections middle ear respiratory tract
- allergic penicillin protein}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{
- E-Mycin*0314701.scf
- Eryc*0314702.scf
- Erythrocin Stearate Filmtabs*0314703.scf
- Ilosone Pulvules*0314704.scf}
-
- Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd.
-
-
- erythromycin
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers)
-
- E.E.S. 200 (Abbott)
- E.E.S. 400 (Abbott)
- E-Mycin (Boots)
- Eramycin (Wesley)
- Eryc (Parke-Davis)
- EryPed (Abbott)
- Ery-Tab (Abbott)
- Erythrocin Stearate Filmtabs (Abbott)
- Erythromycin Base (Abbott)
- Ilosone (Dista)
- Ilosone Pulvules (Dista)
- PCE Dispertab (Abbott)
- Robimycin (Robins)
- Wyamycin S (Wyeth)
-
- TYPE OF DRUG
-
- Antibiotic
-
- INGREDIENT
-
- erythromycin
-
- DOSAGE FORMS
-
- Tablets (250 mg, 333 mg, and 500 mg)
- Chewable tablets (200 mg)
- Enteric-coated tablets (250 mg, 333 mg, and 500 mg)
- Film-coated tablets (250 mg, 400 mg, and 500 mg)
- Polymer-coated tablets (333 mg)
- Capsules (250 mg)
- Oral drops (100 mg per 2.5 ml)
- Oral suspension (125 mg, 200 mg, 250 mg, and 400 mg per 5-ml spoonful)
-
- STORAGE
-
- Erythromycin tablets and capsules should be stored at room temperature in
- tightly closed, light-resistant containers. Erythromycin oral drops and oral
- suspension should be stored in the refrigerator in tightly closed,
- light-resistant containers. Any unused portion of the liquid forms should be
- discarded after 14 days. Erythromycin ethylsuccinate liquid does not need to
- be refrigerated; however, refrigeration helps to preserve the taste. This
- medication should never be frozen.
-
- USES
-
- Erythromycin is used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections,
- including infections of the middle ear and the respiratory tract. It is also
- used to treat infections in persons who are allergic to penicillin. It acts
- by preventing the bacteria from manufacturing protein, which prevents their
- growth. It is not effective against viruses, parasites, or fungi.
-
- TREATMENT
-
- In order to prevent stomach upset, erythromycin coated tablets and
- erythromycin estolate or ethylsuccinate can be taken with food or milk. Other
- erythromycin products should be taken with a full glass of water, preferably
- on an empty stomach, one hour before or two hours after a meal.
- The liquid forms should be taken undiluted.
- Each dose of the oral drops should be measured carefully with the dropper
- provided.
- The oral suspension form of this medication should be shaken well just
- before measuring each dose. The contents tend to settle on the bottom of the
- bottle, so it is necessary to shake the container to distribute the
- ingredients evenly and equalize the doses. Each dose should then be measured
- carefully with a specially designed 5-ml measuring spoon. An ordinary kitchen
- teaspoon is not accurate enough.
- In order to prevent gastrointestinal side effects, the coated tablets and
- capsules should be swallowed whole; do not break, chew, or crush these
- products.
- Erythromycin works best when the level of medicine in your bloodstream is
- kept constant. It is best, therefore, to take the doses at evenly spaced
- intervals day and night. For example, if you are to take four doses a day,
- the doses should be spaced six hours apart.
- If you miss a dose of this medication, take the missed dose immediately.
- However, if you do not remember to take the missed dose until it is almost
- time for your next dose, take it; space the following dose about halfway
- through the regular interval between doses; then return to your regular
- schedule. Try not to skip any doses.
- It is important to continue to take this medication for the entire time
- prescribed by your doctor (usually seven to 14 days), even if the symptoms
- disappear before the end of that period. If you stop taking this drug too
- soon, resistant bacteria continue growing, and the infection could recur.
-
- SIDE EFFECTS
-
- Minor.
-
- Abdominal cramps, diarrhea, fatigue, irritation of the mouth, loss of
- appetite, nausea, sore tongue, or vomiting. These side effects should
- disappear as your body adjusts to the medication.
-
- Major.
-
- Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
- particularly bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
- fever, hearing loss, hives, rash, rectal or vaginal itching, or yellowing of
- the eyes or skin. Also, if your symptoms of infection seem to be getting
- worse rather than improving, you should contact your doctor.
-
- INTERACTIONS
-
- 1. Erythromycin can decrease the elimination of aminophylline,
- oxtriphylline, theophylline, digoxin, oral anticoagulants (blood thinners,
- such as warfarin), and carbamazepine from the body, which can lead to serious
- side effects.
- 2. Therapy with erythromycin may increase the effects of
- methylprednisolone.
- BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently
- taking, especially any listed above.
-
- WARNINGS
-
- * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
- any medications, especially to erythromycin.
- * Be sure to tell your doctor if you have ever had liver disease.
- * This drug has been prescribed for your current infection only. Another
- infection later on, or one that someone else has, may require a different
- drug. Do not give your medicine to other people or use it for other
- infections, unless your doctor specifically directs you to.
- * Before having surgery or any other medical or dental treatment, be sure
- to tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking erythromycin.
- * Not all erythromycin products are chemically equivalent. However, they
- all produce the same therapeutic effect. Discuss with your doctor or
- pharmacist which forms of erythromycin are appropriate for you, and then
- choose the least expensive product among those recommended.
- * Some of these products contain the color additive FD&C Yellow No. 5
- (tartrazine), which can cause allergic-type reactions (difficulty in
- breathing, rash, fainting) in certain susceptible individuals.
- * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Although erythromycin
- appears to be safe during pregnancy, extensive studies in humans have not been
- conducted. Also, tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant. Small
- amounts of this medication pass into breast milk and may temporarily alter the
- bacterial balance in the intestinal tract of the nursing infant, resulting in
- diarrhea.
-
- ----------------
-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
-