•  
  •  

erythromycin and sulfisoxazole

Pronunciation: ee RITH roe MYE sin and SUL fa SOX i zole
Brand: Pediazole

What is the most important information I should know about erythromycin and sulfisoxazole?

donot Do not take this medication if you are allergic to erythromycin or sulfisoxazole, if you are in your 9th month of pregnancy, or if you are breast-feeding a baby younger than 2 months old.

Before taking erythromycin and sulfisoxazole, tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, diabetes, myasthenia gravis, a history of "Long QT Syndrome," or if you are allergic to sulfa drugs or other antibiotics such as azithromycin (Zithromax) or clarithromycin (Biaxin).

finish Take this medication for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely cleared. Erythromycin and sulfisoxazole will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

What is erythromycin and sulfisoxazole?

Erythromycin is in a group of drugs called macrolide antibiotics. Erythromycin fights bacteria in the body.

Sulfisoxazole is a sulfa drug that also fights bacteria in the body.

The combination of erythromycin and sulfisoxazole is used to ear infections in children.

Erythromycin and sulfisoxazole may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking erythromycin and sulfisoxazole?

donot Do not take this medication if you are allergic to erythromycin or sulfisoxazole, or if::
  • you are in your 9th month of pregnancy; or
  • you are breast-feeding a baby younger than 2 months old.

Erythromycin may interact with these medicines and could cause dangerous or life-threatening heart rhythm disorders.

If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication:

  • kidney disease;
  • liver disease;
  • diabetes;
  • myasthenia gravis;
  • a history of "Long QT Syndrome"; or
  • if you are allergic to sulfa drugs or other antibiotics such as azithromycin (Zithromax) or clarithromycin (Biaxin).
nopreg FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether erythromycin and sulfisoxazole is harmful to an unborn baby when taken in early pregnancy. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Do not take erythromycin and sulfisoxazole during late pregnancy.
nobrfeed Erythromycin and sulfisoxazole 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. Do not take erythromycin and sulfisoxazole if you are breast-feeding a baby younger than 2 months old.

Older adults may be more likely to have side effects from this medication.

Do not give this medication to a child younger than 2 months old.

How should I take erythromycin and sulfisoxazole?

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

water Take erythromycin and sulfisoxazole with a full glass (8 ounces) of water. Drink plenty of fluids every day while taking this medication.

Take this medication with food or milk if it upsets your stomach.

shake Shake the liquid medicine 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.

Erythromycin and sulfisoxazole is usually given 3 or 4 times daily. Try to take the medicine at evenly spaced intervals throughout the day.

finish Take this medication for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely cleared. Erythromycin and sulfisoxazole will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.
emt If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using erythromycin and sulfisoxazole. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

Erythromycin and sulfisoxazole can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using erythromycin.

refig Store this medication in the refrigerator. Do not freeze. Throw away any unused medicine that is older than 14 days

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, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

emt Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Overdose symptoms may include dizziness, drowsiness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, ringing in your ears, headache, stomach pain, fever, and fainting.

What should I avoid while taking erythromycin and sulfisoxazole?

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, stop taking this medication and call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.

nosun Avoid exposure to sunlight, sunlamps, or tanning beds. Erythromycin and sulfisoxazole can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, and a sunburn may result. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher) when you are outdoors.

What are the possible side effects of erythromycin and sulfisoxazole?

emt Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
donot Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
  • dizziness, fainting, fast or pounding heartbeat;
  • diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
  • confusion, hallucinations;
  • muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness with fever or flu symptoms and dark colored urine;
  • white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips;
  • fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;
  • the first sign of any skin rash, no matter how mild;
  • pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding;
  • ringing in your ears, or problems with hearing;
  • numbness or tingly feeling in your hands or feet;
  • sore throat, swelling or lump in your throat or neck;
  • cough, feeling short of breath;
  • blood in your urine, pain in your side or lower back, pain when you urinate;
  • urinating less than usual or not at all; or
  • nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Less serious side effects may include:

  • mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach pain;
  • headache, mild dizziness, spinning sensation; or
  • vaginal itching or discharge.

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.

What other drugs will affect erythromycin and sulfisoxazole?

Many drugs can interact with erythromycin. Below is just a partial list. Tell your doctor if you are using:

  • bromocriptine (Parlodel);
  • colchicine (Colcrys);
  • alprazolam (Xanax), midazolam (Versed), or triazolam (Halcion);
  • a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);
  • cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune);
  • digoxin (Lanoxin);
  • methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall);
  • theophylline (Elixophyllin, Theo-24, Uniphyl);
  • antifungal medication such as itraconazole (Sporanox), fluconazole (Diflucan), ketoconazole (Nizoral), or voriconazole (Vfend);
  • any other antibiotic, especially clarithromycin (Biaxin), dalfopristin/quinupristin (Synercid), levofloxacin (Levaquin), moxifloxacin (Avelox), or rifabutin (Mycobutin);
  • a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);
  • diabetes medication you take by mouth;
  • a diuretic (water pill);
  • a cholesterol-lowering medication such as lovastatin (Mevacor) or simvastatin (Zocor);
  • heart or blood pressure medication such as amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), diltiazem (Cartia, Cardizem), dofetilide (Tikosyn), felodipine (Plendil), nifedipine (Nifedical, Procardia), sotalol (Betapace), or verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan);
  • heart rhythm medicine such as disopyramide (Norpace), procainamide (Procan, Pronestyl), propafenone (Rythmol), quinidine (Quinidex, Quin-Release Quin-G);
  • migraine headache medicine such as eletriptan (Relpax), ergotamine (Ercaf, Cafergot, Ergostat, Ergomar) or dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal); or
  • seizure medication such as carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenytoin (Dilantin), or valproic acid (Depakote, Depakene).

This list is not complete and there are many other drugs that can interact with erythromycin and sulfisoxazole. 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. Keep a list of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about erythromycin and sulfisoxazole.

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.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2012 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 2.02. Revision date: 12/15/2010.

Your use of the content provided in this service indicates that you have read, understood and agree to the End-User License Agreement, which can be accessed by clicking on this link.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.

Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.