Why is Erythromycin, Oral prescribed?

Erythromycin is an antibiotic used to treat many kinds of infections, including:

Acute pelvic inflammatory disease
Gonorrhea
Intestinal parasitic infections
Legionnaires' disease
Listeriosis
Pinkeye
Rectal infections
Reproductive tract infections
Skin infections
Syphilis
Upper and lower respiratory tract infections
Urinary tract infections
Whooping cough

Erythromycin is also prescribed to prevent rheumatic fever in people who are allergic to penicillin and sulfa drugs. It is prescribed before colorectal surgery to prevent infection.

Why should Erythromycin, Oral not be prescribed?

You should not use erythromycin if you have ever had an allergic reaction to it or are sensitive to it.

Special information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding

There is no evidence that erythromycin will harm a developing baby, but the possibility has not been completely ruled out. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, inform your doctor immediately.

Erythromycin appears in breast milk and could affect a nursing infant. If this medication is essential to your health, your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding until your treatment is finished.

Recommended dosage

Dosage instructions are determined by the type (and severity) of infection being treated and may vary slightly for different brands of erythromycin. The following are recommended dosages for PCE, one of the most commonly prescribed brands.

ADULTS

Streptococcal Infections

The usual dose is 333 milligrams every 8 hours, or 500 milligrams every 12 hours. Depending on the severity of the infection, the dose may be increased to a total of 4 grams a day. However, twice-a-day doses are not recommended, when the daily dosage is larger than 1 gram, and the drug should be taken more often in smaller doses.

To treat streptococcal infections of the upper respiratory tract (tonsillitis or strep throat), erythromycin should be taken for at least 10 days.

To prevent repeated infections in people who have had rheumatic fever, the usual dosage is 250 milligrams twice a day.

Urinary Tract Infections Due to Chlamydia Trachomatis During Pregnancy

The usual dosage is 500 milligrams of erythromycin orally 4 times a day or 666 milligrams every 8 hours on an empty stomach for at least 7 days. For women who cannot tolerate this regimen, a decreased dose of 500 milligrams every 12 hours or 333 milligrams every 8 hours a day should be used for at least 14 days.

For Those with Uncomplicated Urinary, Reproductive Tract, or Rectal Infections Caused by Chlamydia Trachomatis When Tetracycline Cannot Be Taken

The usual oral dosage is 500 milligrams of erythromycin 4 times a day or 666 milligrams every 8 hours for at least 7 days.

For Those with Nongonococcal Urethral Infections When Tetracycline Cannot Be Taken

Special warnings about Erythromycin, Oral

As with other antibiotics, treatment with erythromycin may result in a growth of bacteria that do not respond to this medication and can cause a secondary infection.

If you have ever had liver disease, consult your doctor before taking erythromycin.

If a new infection (called superinfection) develops, talk to your doctor. You may need to be treated with a different antibiotic.

This drug may cause a severe form of intestinal inflammation. If you develop diarrhea, contact your doctor immediately. If you have myasthenia gravis (muscle weakness), it can be aggravated by erythromycin.

When erythromycin is used to treat syphilis in pregnant women, it does not prevent the disease from infecting their babies. The infants should be treated after birth with penicillin.

Prolonged or repeated use of erythromycin may result in the growth of bacteria or fungi that do not respond to this medication and can cause a second infection.