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Erythromycin, Systemic
Erythromycin, Systemic
Pronunciation
(er ith roe MYE sin)
Brand Names
AK-Mycin®; E.E.S.®; E.E.S.® Chewable; E.E.S.® Granules; E-Mycin®; E-Mycin-E®;
Eryc®; Ery-Tab®; Erythrocin®; Ilosone®; Ilosone® Pulvules®; Ilotycin®; PCE®;
Wyamycin® S
Canadian/Mexican Brand Names
Apo-Erythro® E-C (Canada); Diomycin® (Canada); Eritroquim (Mexico); Erybid™
(Canada); Erythro-Base® (Canada); Latotryd® (Mexico); Lauricin (Mexico);
Lederpax (Mexico); Luritran® (Mexico); Novo-Rythro Encap (Canada); Pantomicina
(Mexico); PMS-Erythromycin (Canada); Tromigal (Mexico)
Therapeutic Categories
Antibiotic, Macrolide; Antibiotic, Ophthalmic
What is this medicine used for?
- This medicine is used as a treatment for a variety of bacterial
infections.
How does it work?
- Erythromycin, systemic prevents protein production in bacteria and allows
the body to get the infection under control.
How is it best taken?
Oral:
- To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.
- Take on an empty stomach. Take 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.
- For tablet, take with or without food. Take with food if this medicine
causes an upset stomach.
- Swallow tablets and capsules whole except for chewable tablets.
- A liquid (suspension) is available if you cannot swallow pills. Those who
have feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube before and
after medicine is given. Shake well first.
- Use entire prescription as directed, even if feeling better.
Eye:
- For the eye only.
- Take out soft contact lenses before using medicine. Lenses can be replaced
15 minutes after medicine is given.
- Do not touch the bottle or tube tip to the eye, lid, or other skin.
Solution:
- Tilt head back and drop medicine into eye.
- After using medicine keep your eyes closed. Apply pressure to the inside
corner of the eye. Do this for 3-5 minutes. This keeps medicine in the eye.
- Separate each eye medicine by 5 minutes. Give one and wait 5 minutes before
using the next.
Ointment:
- Place medicine inside the lower lid. Close the eye for 1-2 minutes. Roll
eyeball around.
- Separate each eye medicine by 10 minutes. Give one and wait 10 minutes
before using the next.
What do I do if I miss a dose?
- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to your
regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
What are the precautions when taking this
medicine?
- Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well
with other medicines.
- Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor). Can make infection more
difficult to treat.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to
tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about
rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face,
lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.
What are the common side effects of this
medicine?
Oral:
- Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard
candy, or chewing gum may help.
- Diarrhea. Yogurt, Bifidobacterium bifidum
, or Lactobacillus acidophilus
may help. These products are available at health food stores or in some
pharmacies.
- Belly pain and cramps.
Eye:
- Redness, pain, or itching.
What should I monitor?
- Watch for change in temperature or worsening of infection if you are being
treated for an active infection.
Reasons to call healthcare provider
immediately
Oral:
- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in
the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face,
lips, tongue, or throat.
- Fever and/or chills.
- Severe nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.
- Any rash.
- No improvement in condition or feeling worse.
Eye:
- Severe redness, pain, or itching.
How should I store this medicine?
- Store capsules/tablets/liquid (suspension) in a tight container at room
temperature.
- Any unused portion of liquid (suspension) should be thrown away after 10
days.
- Store eye medicine at room temperature.
General statements
- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant)
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including
over-the-counter or natural products (herbs, vitamins).
Copyright © 1978-2000 Lexi-Comp Inc. All Rights Reserved
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