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Back to Infections Drug Index
Erythromycin
Erythromycin Base
Oral, ophthalmic ointment, topical dermatologic solution for acne,
topical dermatologic ointment: AK-Mycin, Akne-mycin, A/T/S, E-Mycin,
Eryc, Eryderm, Erymax, Ery-Tab, Ilotycin, Ilotycin Ophthalmic,
Robimycin, Staticin, T-Stat erythromycin estolate
Oral: Ilosone erythromycin ethylsuccinate
Oral: E.E.S., E-Mycin, EryPed
erythromycin gluceptate
Parenteral, IV: Ilotycin Gluceptate
erythromycin lactobionate, erythromycin stearate
Oral: Eramycin
Pregnancy Category B
Drug classes
Antibiotics
Macrolides
Mechanism of action
Bacteriostatic or bactericidal in susceptible bacteria; binds to cell
membrane, causing change in protein function, leading to cell death.
Indications
Systemic Administration
- Acute infections caused by sensitive strains of Streptococcus
pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Listeria monocytogenes,
Legionella pneumophila
- URIs, LRIs, skin and soft-tissue infections caused by group A
beta-hemolytic streptococci when oral treatment is preferred to
injectable benzathine penicillin
- PID caused by N. gonorrhoeae in patients allergic to penicillin
- In conjunction with sulfonamides in URIs caused by Haemophilus
influenzae
- As an adjunct to antitoxin in infections caused by
Corynebacterium diphtheriae and Corynebacterium minutissimum
- Prophylaxis against alpha-hemolytic streptococcal endocarditis
before dental or other procedures in patients allergic to penicillin
who have valvular heart disease
Oral Erythromycin
- Treatment of intestinal amebiasis caused by Entamoeba
histolytica; infections in the newborn and in pregnancy that are
caused by Chlamydia trachomatis and in adult chlamydial infections
when tetracycline cannot be used; primary syphilis (Treponema
pallidum) in penicillin-allergic patients; eliminating Bordetella
pertussis organisms from the nasopharynx of infected individuals and
as prophylaxis in exposed and susceptible individuals.
- Unlabeled uses: erythromycin base is used with neomycin before
colorectal surgery to reduce wound infection; treatment of severe
diarrhea associated with Campylobacter enteritis or enterococolitis;
treatment of genital, inguinal, or anorectal lymphogranuloma
venereum infection;
treatment of Haemophilus ducreyi (chancroid)
Ophthalmic Ointment
- Treatment of superficial ocular infections caused by susceptible
strains of microorganisms; prophylaxos of ophthalmia neonatorum
caused by N. gonorrhoeae or C. trachomatis
Topical Dermatologic Solutions for Acne
- Treatment of acne vulgaris
- Topical Dermatologic Ointment
- Prophylaxis against infection in minor skin abrasions
- Treatment of skin infections caused by sensitive microorganisms
Contraindications
Systemic Administration
- Contraindicated in the presence of allergy to erythromycin.
- Use caution in the presence of hepatic dysfunction, lactation
(secreted and may be concentrated in breast milk; may modify bowel
flora of nursing infant and interfere with fever workups).
Ophthalmic Ointment
- Contraindicated in the presence of allergy to erythromycin;
viral, fungal, mycobacterial infections of the eye.
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Adverse effects
Systemic Administrations
- CNS: Reversible hearing
loss, confusion, uncontrollable emotions, abnormal thinking
- GI: Abdominal cramping,
anorexia, diarrhea, vomiting, pseudomembranous colitis,
hepatotoxicity
Hypersensitivity: Allergic reactions ranging from rash to
anaphylaxis
- Other: Superinfections
Ophthalmic Ointment
- Dermatologic: Edema,
utricaria, dermatitis, angioneurotic edema
- Local: Irritation, burning,
itching at site of application
Topical Dermatologic Preparations
- Local: Superinfections,
particularly with long-term use
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