USES: Erythromycin is an antibiotic used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections, such as respiratory tract infections, middle ear infections, and skin infections.
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Overview | Photos | How
To Use | Side
Effects | Precautions | Missed
Dose | Drug
Interactions | |
E.E.S.
Uses
Erythromycin is an antibiotic used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections, such as respiratory tract infections, middle ear infections, and skin infections. Notes
- This medication has been prescribed for your current condition only.
- Do not use it later for another infection or give it to someone else.
- A different medication may be necessary.
Storage
- Store at room temperature away from moisture and sunlight.
- Do not store in the bathroom.
How
To Use - Swallow medication whole to prevent stomach upset.
- May be taken with food or milk if stomach upset does occur.
- Antibiotics work best when the amount of medicine in your body is kept at a constant level.
- Do this by taking the medication at evenly spaced intervals throughout the day and night.
- Continue to take this medication until the full prescribed amount is finished even if symptoms disappear after a few days.
- Stopping the medication too early may allow bacteria to continue to grow resulting in a relapse of the infection.
Side
Effects - May cause stomach upset, diarrhea, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and stomach cramps the first few days as your body adjusts to the medication.
- If these symptoms persist or become severe, inform your doctor.
- Notify your doctor if you develop symptoms of jaundice such as dark urine, clay-colored stools or yellowing of eyes or skin.
- In the unlikely event you have an allergic reaction to this drug, seek medical attention immediately.
- Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching, swelling, dizziness or trouble breathing.
- Use of this medication for prolonged or repeated periods may result in a secondary infection (e.g., oral, bladder or vaginal yeast infection) If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Precautions
- Tell your doctor your medical history, especially of liver disease/jaundice, and of any allergies you may have.
- Caution is advised when this drug is used in infants.
- Though very unlikely to happen, a stomach problem called IHPS has been noted.
- Contact your child's doctor immediately if the child has persistent vomiting or increased irritability.
- This drug should be used only if clearly needed during pregnancy.
- Small amounts of drug appear in breast milk.
- Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Missed
Dose - If you should miss a dose, take it as soon as remembered unless it is almost time for the next dose.
- If it is nearly time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule.
- Do not "double-up" the dose.
Drug
Interactions - Tell your doctor of all the drugs you may use, (prescription and nonprescription) especially of the following: carbamazepine, cyclosporine, theophylline, certain benzodiazepines (e.g., midazolam, triazolam), warfarin, terfenadine, astemizole, felodipine (a calcium channel blocker), cisapride, birth control pills, corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone), digoxin, pimozide, certain live vaccines, disopyramide, phenytoin, sparfloxacin (a quinolone antibiotic), all other antibiotics and of certain drugs for high cholesterol (e.g., lovastatin).
- This drug may interfere with the effectiveness of birth control pills.
- Discuss using other methods of birth control with your doctor.
- Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.
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CONDITIONS
OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute
for, the expertise and judgement of healthcare professionals. The information
is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions
or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular
drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional
should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or
discontinuing any course of treatment. |