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- $Unique_ID{BRK03148}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{erythromycin and sulfisoxazole combination}
- $Subject{Eryzole Alra Ross Pediazole Antibiotic erythromycin sulfisoxazole
- combination acute otitis media middle ear infection children nutrients}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd.
-
-
- erythromycin and sulfisoxazole combination
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers)
-
- Eryzole (Alra)
- Pediazole (Ross)
-
- TYPE OF DRUG
-
- Antibiotic
-
- INGREDIENTS
-
- erythromycin and sulfisoxazole
-
- DOSAGE FORM
-
- Oral suspension (200 mg erythromycin and 600 mg sulfisoxazole per 5-ml
- spoonful)
-
- STORAGE
-
- Store in the refrigerator (never freeze) in a tightly closed container.
- Any unused portion of the erythromycin and sulfisoxazole combination should be
- discarded after the expiration date (usually after 14 days) because the drug
- loses its potency after that time.
-
- USES
-
- Erythromycin and sulfisoxazole combination is used to treat acute otitis
- media (middle ear infection) in children. Erythromycin acts by preventing the
- bacteria from manufacturing protein, thereby preventing their growth.
- Sulfisoxazole also acts by preventing production of nutrients that are
- required for growth of the infecting bacteria. Erythromycin and sulfisoxazole
- combination kills a wide range of susceptible bacteria, but it is not
- effective against viruses, parasites, or fungi.
-
- TREATMENT
-
- In order to avoid stomach upset, you can take this medication either with
- food or with a full glass of water or milk. You can also take it on an empty
- stomach.
- The oral suspension 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.
- This medication works best when the level of medicine in the 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 the drug too
- soon, resistant bacteria are given a chance to continue growing, and the
- infection could recur.
-
- SIDE EFFECTS
-
- Minor.
-
- Diarrhea, dizziness, headache, loss of appetite, nausea, sleep disorders,
- sore mouth or tongue, or vomiting. These side effects should disappear as
- your body adjusts to the medication.
- This medication can cause increased sensitivity to sunlight. It is,
- therefore, important to avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight and sunlamps.
- Wear protective clothing and sunglasses, and use an effective sunscreen.
- However, sunscreens containing para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) interfere with
- the antibacterial activity of sulfisoxazole and should not be used.
- If you feel dizzy, sit or lie down for a while; get up slowly from a
- sitting or reclining position, and be careful on stairs.
-
- Major.
-
- Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
- particularly bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
- aching, or joint and muscle pain; convulsions; difficult or painful urination;
- difficulty in swallowing; hallucinations; mental depression; loss of hearing;
- redness, blistering, or peeling of the skin; itching; rash; sore throat and
- fever; uncoordinated movements; unusual bleeding or bruising; unusual
- tiredness; or yellowing of the eyes or skin. Also, if the symptoms of
- infection seem to be getting worse, contact your doctor.
-
- INTERACTIONS
-
- This medication interacts with several other types of drugs:
- 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. Sulfisoxazole can increase the active blood levels of oral
- anticoagulants (blood thinners, such as warfarin), oral antidiabetic agents,
- methotrexate, oxyphenbutazone, phenylbutazone, and phenytoin, which can lead
- to serious side effects.
- 3. Methenamine can increase the side effects to the kidneys caused by
- sulfisoxazole.
- 4. Probenecid and sulfinpyrazone can increase the blood levels of
- sulfisoxazole.
- 5. Erythromycin may increase the effects of methylprednisolone.
- Before starting to take this medication, BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR
- about any medications you are currently taking, especially any of those listed
- above.
-
- WARNINGS
-
- * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
- any medications, especially to erythromycin, sulfisoxazole, any other sulfa
- medications (sulfonamide antibiotics, diuretics, dapsone, sulfoxone, oral
- antidiabetic medicines) or acetazolamide.
- * Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had
- glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, kidney disease, liver
- disease, or porphyria.
- * This medication has been prescribed for your current infection only.
- Another infection later on, or one that someone else has, may require a
- different medicine. You should not give your medicine to other people or use
- it for other infections, unless your doctor specifically directs you to do so.
- * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Small amounts of
- erythromycin and sulfisoxazole cross the placenta. Although these antibiotics
- appear 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 infant, resulting in
- diarrhea. This medication should not be used in an infant less than two
- months of age in order to avoid side effects involving the liver.
-
- ----------------
-
- 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.
-