Prescription Drug:
Erythrocin tablets contain the active ingredient erythromycin, which is a type of drug known as a macrolide antibiotic. It is used to treat infections caused by bacteria. (NB. Erythromycin is also available without a brand name, ie as the generic drug.)
Erythromycin works by preventing bacteria from producing proteins that are essential to them. Without these proteins the bacteria cannot grow, replicate and increase in numbers. Erythromycin doesn't directly kill the bacteria, but leaves them unable to increase in numbers. The remaining bacteria eventually die or are destroyed by the immune system. This treats the infection.
Erythromycin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that is active against a wide variety of bacteria that cause a wide variety of infections. Erythromycin may be used to treat infections of the upper or lower airways, skin or soft tissue, eyes or ears. It may also be used to treat certain sexually-transmitted infections, oral and dental infections, and to prevent infections in people who are at risk, for example due to surgery, trauma or burns.
Erythromycin is also used for treating inflammatory acne, as it is active against the bacteria associated with acne, Propionebacterium acnes. This is a common type of bacteria that feeds on sebum produced by the sebaceous glands in the skin. It produces waste products and fatty acids that irritate the sebaceous glands, making them inflamed and causing spots. By controlling bacterial numbers, erythromycin brings the inflammation of the sebaceous glands under control, and allows the skin to heal. (Other antibiotics may be preferred for acne however, as strains of the Propionebacterium that are resistant to erythromycin are becoming widespread.)
To make sure the bacteria causing an infection are susceptible to erythromycin your doctor may take a tissue sample, for example a swab from the throat or skin.
Erythromycin has a similar range of antibacterial activity to penicillin and so is also useful as an alternative to penicillin in people who are allergic to penicillins.
This belongs to the group of drugs known as antibiotics.
It is used to treat a variety of bacterial infections by killing or stopping the growth of the bacteria.
Erythromycin is particularly useful for treating people who are allergic to penicillin.
Erythromycin is available in tablet, enteric coated tablet, oral solution, and capsule form.
No Prescription:
Most infections are caused by bacteria that invade and grow in the human body. Medications that control or eradicate these bacteria are called antibiotics. Erythromycin is an antibiotic that prevents bacteria from producing proteins, which interferes with bacterial growth and multiplication, while not affecting human cells.
Drug without Prescription:
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.
Prescription is used for:
Bacterial infections of the lungs (chest or lower respiratory tract), eg bronchitis, bronchiectasis, pneumonia, Legionnaires' disease
Bacterial infection of the nasal passages, sinuses or throat (upper respiratory tract infection), eg sinusitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, tonsillitis
Whooping cough
Bacterial infection of the middle ear (otitis media) or outer ear canal (otitis externa)
Bacterial mouth infections, eg gum disease (gingivitis), Vincent's angina
Bacterial infection of the eyelids (blepharitis)
Bacterial infections of the skin or soft tissue, eg boils, abscesses, cellulitis, impetigo, erysipelas
Acne
Chronic inflammatory disorder of the facial skin (acne rosacea)
Bacterial infections of the stomach and intestines
Inflammation of bone due to bacterial infection (osteomyelitis)
Inflammation of the urethra due to bacterial infection (urethritis)
Inflammation of the prostate gland due to bacterial infection (prostatitis)
Gonorrhoea
Syphilis
Diphtheria
Scarlet fever
Prevention of bacterial infection following surgery, burns, trauma or dental procedures
Erythromycin can be used to treat Streptococcal infections of the throat (strep throat) and the skin. It can also be used in treating lung infections (pneumonias) caused by streptococcal pneumoniae, mycoplasma pneumoniae, and legionella pneumophila (Legionnaires disease). Erythromycin is used in patients who are allergic to penicillin for the prevention of recurrent rheumatic fever, and heart valve infections (endocarditis) in patients with heart valve abnormalities before undergoing dental treatments. For further information, please read the Mitral Valve Prolapse, and Aortic Stenosis articles. Erythromycin is also used for the treatment of staphylococcal infections of the skin, and as an alternative drug for syphilis, gonorrhea, and Chlamydia.
Prescription Side Effects:
Abdominal pain;
Abnormal heart beats (arrhythmias);
Abnormal liver tests or liver dysfunction can also occur with erythromycin;
Allergic reactions such as hives rash or anaphylaxis (a severe allergic reaction which can lead to shock);
Allergic skin reactions;
Diarrhea;
Diarrhoea;
Disturbances of liver function;
Inflammation of the liver (hepatitis);
Itching or hearing problems;
Loss of appetite;
Nausea (feeling sick);
Nausea and vomiting;
Nausea;
Reversible hearing loss (usually only after large doses);
Skin rashes;
Tummy pain and discomfort;
Vomiting (being sick);
Vomiting;
Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice);
Prescription Form:
Tablets: 250 milligrams,
Tablets: 500 milligrams.
Prescription 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, when the daily dosage is larger than 1 gram, twice-a-day doses are not recommended, 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
The usual dosage is 500 milligrams of erythromycin by mouth 4 times a day or 666 milligrams orally every 8 hours for at least 7 days.
Acute Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Caused by Neisseria Gonorrhoeae
The usual treatment is three days of intravenous erythromycin followed by 500 milligrams orally every 12 hours or 333 milligrams orally every 8 hours for 7 days.
Syphilis
The usual dosage is 30 to 40 grams divided into smaller doses over a period of 10 to 15 days.
Intestinal Infections
The usual dosage is 500 milligrams every 12 hours, or 333 milligrams every 8 hours, for 10 to 14 days.
Legionnaires' Disease
The usual dosage ranges from 1 to 4 grams daily, divided into smaller doses.
CHILDREN
Age, weight, and severity of the infection determine the correct dosage.
The usual dosage is from 30 to 50 milligrams daily for each 2.2 pounds of body weight, divided into equal doses for 10 to 14 days. For pneumonia in infants due to chlamydia, treatment lasts at least 3 weeks.
For more severe infections, this dosage may be doubled, but it should not exceed 4 grams per day.
Children weighing over 44 pounds should follow the recommended adult dose schedule.
For prevention of bacterial endocarditis, the children's dosage is 10 milligrams per 2.2 pounds of body weight 2 hours before dental work or surgery, followed by 5 milligrams per 2.2 pounds 6 hours later.
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