$Unique_ID{BRK01947}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{ERYTHROMYCIN}
$Subject{E.E.S. (Abbott)
E.E.S. 400 (Abbott)
E-Mycin (Upjohn)
E-Mycin E (Upjohn)
Eramycin (Wesley)
Eryc (Parke-Davis)
Erypar (Parke-Davis)
EryPed (Abbott)
Ery-Tab (Abbott)
Erythrocin Stearate Filmtabs (Abbott)
Erythromycin Base (Abbott)
Ilosone (Dista)
Ilosone Pulvules (Dista)
Ilotycin (Dista)
PCE Dispertab (Abbott)
Pediamycin (Ross)
Robimycin (Robins)
Wyamycin E (Wyeth)
Wyamycin S (Wyeth)}
$Volume{}
$Log{
E-Mycin*0194701.scf
Eryc*0194702.scf
Erythrocin Stearate Filmtab*0194703.scf
Ilosone Pulvules*0194704.scf}

Copyright (C) 1991 Publications International, Ltd.


ERYTHROMYCIN
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers):
     E.E.S. (Abbott)
     E.E.S. 400 (Abbott)
     E-Mycin (Upjohn)
     E-Mycin E (Upjohn)
     Eramycin (Wesley)
     Eryc (Parke-Davis)
     Erypar (Parke-Davis)
     EryPed (Abbott)
     Ery-Tab (Abbott)
     Erythrocin Stearate Filmtabs (Abbott)
     Erythromycin Base (Abbott)
     Ilosone (Dista)
     Ilosone Pulvules (Dista)
     Ilotycin (Dista)
     PCE Dispertab (Abbott)
     Pediamycin (Ross)
     Robimycin (Robins)
     Wyamycin E (Wyeth)
     Wyamycin S (Wyeth)
TYPE OF DRUG:
     Antibiotic
INGREDIENT:
     erythromycin
DOSAGE FORMS:
     Tablets (250 mg, 333 mg, and 500 mg)
     Chewable tablets (125 mg, 200 mg, and 250 mg)
     Enteric-coated tablets (250 mg, 333 mg, and 500 mg)
     Film-coated tablets (250 mg, 400 mg, and 500 mg)
     Polymer-coated tablets (333 mg)
     Capsules (125 mg and 250 mg)
     Oral drops (100 mg per ml)
     Oral suspension (125 mg, 200 mg, 250 mg, and 400 mg per 5-ml spoonful)
STORAGE:
     Erythromycin tablets and capsules should be stored at room temperature in
       tightly closed, light-resistant containers.  Erythromycin oral drops
       and oral suspension should be stored in the refrigerator in tightly
       closed, light-resistant containers.  Any unused portion of the liquid
       forms should be discarded after 14 days because the drug loses its
       potency after that time.  Erythromycin ethylsuccinate liquid does not
       need to be refrigerated; however, refrigeration helps to preserve the
       taste.  This medication should never be frozen.

USES

     Erythromycin is used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections,
including infections of the middle ear and the respiratory tract.  It is also
used to treat infections in persons who are allergic to penicillin.  It acts
by preventing the bacteria from manufacturing protein, which prevents their
growth.  It is not effective against viruses, parasites, or fungi.

TREATMENT

     In order to prevent stomach upset, erythromycin coated tablets and
erythromycin estolate or ethylsuccinate can be taken with food or milk.  Other
erythromycin products should be taken with a full glass of water, preferably
on an empty stomach, one hour before or two hours after a meal.
     The liquid forms should be taken undiluted.
     Each dose of the oral drops should be measured carefully with the dropper
provided.
     The oral suspension form of this medication should be shaken well just
before measuring each dose.  The contents tend to settle on the bottom of the
bottle, so it is necessary to shake the container to distribute the
ingredients evenly and equalize the doses.  Each dose should then be measured
carefully with a specially designed 5-ml measuring spoon.  An ordinary kitchen
teaspoon is not accurate enough.
     In order to prevent gastrointestinal side effects, the coated tablets and
capsules should be swallowed whole; do not break, chew, or crush these
products.
     Erythromycin works best when the level of medicine in your bloodstream is
kept constant.  It is best, therefore, to take the doses at evenly spaced
intervals day and night.  For example, if you are to take four doses a day,
the doses should be spaced six hours apart.
     If you miss a dose of this medication, take the missed dose immediately.
However, if you do not remember to take the missed dose until it is almost
time for your next dose, take it; space the following dose about halfway
through the regular interval between doses; then return to your regular
schedule.  Try not to skip any doses.
     It is important to continue to take this medication for the entire time
prescribed by your doctor (usually seven to 14 days), even if the symptoms
disappear before the end of that period.  If you stop taking this drug too
soon, resistant bacteria are given a chance to continue growing, and the
infection could recur.

SIDE EFFECTS

     Minor.

     Abdominal cramps, black tongue, cough, diarrhea, fatigue, irritation of
the mouth, loss of appetite, nausea, or vomiting.  These side effects should
disappear as your body adjusts to the medication.

Major.

     Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
particularly bothersome.  IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
fever, hearing loss, hives, rash, rectal or vaginal itching, or yellowing of
the eyes or skin.  Also, if your symptoms of infection seem to be getting
worse rather than improving, you should contact your doctor.

INTERACTIONS

     1. Erythromycin can decrease the elimination of aminophylline,
oxtriphylline, theophylline, digoxin, oral anticoagulants (blood thinners,
such as warfarin), and carbamazepine from the body, which can lead to serious
side effects.
     2. Therapy with erythromycin may increase the effects of
methylprednisolone.
     BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are
currently taking, especially any listed above.

WARNINGS

     * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
any medications, especially to erythromycin.
     * Tell your doctor if you have ever had liver disease.
     * This medication has been prescribed for your current infection only.
Another infection later on, or one that someone else has, may require a
different medicine.  You should not give your medicine to other people or use
it for other infections, unless your doctor specifically directs you to do so.
     * Before having surgery or any other medical or dental treatment, be sure
to tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking erythromycin.
     * Not all erythromycin products are chemically equivalent.  However, they
all produce the same therapeutic effect.  Discuss with your doctor or
pharmacist which forms of erythromycin are appropriate for you, and then
choose the least expensive product among those recommended.
     * Some of these products contain the color additive FD&C Yellow No. 5
(tartrazine), which can cause allergic-type reactions (difficulty in
breathing, rash, fainting) in certain susceptible individuals.
     * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant.  Although erythromycin
appears to be safe during pregnancy, extensive studies in humans have not been
conducted.  Also, tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant.  Small
amounts of this medication pass into breast milk and may temporarily alter the
bacterial balance in the intestinal tract of the nursing infant, resulting in
diarrhea.

----------------

The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
