erythromycin
| Pronunciation: | er ITH roe MYE sin |
| Brand: | E.E.S. Granules, E.E.S.-200, E.E.S.-400, E.E.S.-400 Filmtab, Ery-Tab, Eryc, EryPed, EryPed 200, EryPed 400, Erythrocin Stearate Filmtab, PCE Dispertab |
EES-400
oblong, pink, imprinted with a EE
E-Mycin 250 mg
round, orange, imprinted with E-MYCIN 250mg
E-Mycin 333 mg
round, white, imprinted with E-MYCIN 333mg
Ery-Tab 250 mg
oblong, white, imprinted with EC, a
Ery-Tab 333 mg
oblong, white, imprinted with a EH, a
Ery-Tab 500 mg
oblong, pink, imprinted with a ED
Erythrocin 500 mg
oval, pink, imprinted with a, ET
Erythromycin Base 250 mg
oval, pink, imprinted with a EB
Erythromycin Base 500 mg
oval, pink, imprinted with a, EA
Erythromycin Ethylsuccinate 400 mg-ABB
oblong, pink, imprinted with 74 ZE
Erythromycin Ethylsuccinate 400 mg-MYL
oblong, peach, imprinted with M400
PCE 500 mg
oval, white, imprinted with a EK
What is the most important information I should know about erythromycin?
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Do not use this medication if you are allergic to erythromycin, or if you are also using cisapride (Propulsid), dihydroergotamine (Migranal), ergotamine (Ergomar, Cafergot, Migergot), or pimozide (Orap). Erythromycin may interact with these medicines and could cause dangerous or life-threatening heart rhythm disorders. |
Before you take erythromycin, tell your doctor if you have liver disease or myasthenia gravis.
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Take this medicine for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses may also increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to antibiotics. Erythromycin will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu. |
 |
Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. Erythromycin can make you sunburn more easily. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors. |
Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, stop taking erythromycin and call your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking erythromycin?
|
You should not not take erythromycin if you are allergic to it, or if you are taking any of the following medicines: |
- cisapride (Propulsid);
- pimozide (Orap); or
- dihydroergotamine (Migranal) or ergotamine (Ergomar, Cafergot, Migergot).
To make sure you can safely take erythromycin, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
- liver disease; or
- myasthenia gravis.
FDA pregnancy category B. Erythromycin is not expected to harm 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 exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
You may take erythromycin with or without food.
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Do not crush, chew, break, or open an enteric-coated or delayed-release pill. Swallow it whole. The enteric coated pill has a special coating to protect your stomach. Breaking the pill will damage this coating. Breaking or opening a delayed-release pill may cause too much of the drug to be released at one time. |
The chewable tablet must be chewed before swallowing.
Measure liquid medicine with a special dose-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. Shake the oral suspension well just before you measure a dose.
|
Take this medicine for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses may also increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to antibiotics. Erythromycin will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu. |
 |
This medication can cause unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using erythromycin. |
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Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat. |
What happens if I overdose?
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Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. |
Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, or hearing loss.
What should I avoid while taking erythromycin?
|
Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. Erythromycin can make you sunburn more easily. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors. |
Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, stop taking erythromycin and call your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.
What are the possible side effects of erythromycin?
|
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. |
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Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects: |
- severe dizziness, fainting, fast or pounding heartbeats;
- nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
- diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
- hearing problems;
- vomiting or fussiness after eating (in a child taking erythromycin); or
- severe skin reaction -- fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.
Less serious side effects may include:
- mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach pain;
- dizziness, headache, feeling tired;
- vaginal itching or discharge; or
- mild itching or skin rash.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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.
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