Erythromycin, Oral

--Storage instructions...

The liquid form of erythromycin should be kept in the refrigerator; use E.E.S. within 10 days. Do not freeze. Store tablets and capsules at room temperature in a tightly closed container.

What side effects may occur?

Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine whether it is safe to continue taking this medication.

• More common side effects may include:
  Abdominal pain, diarrhea, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting

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 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.

Possible food and drug interactions when taking Erythromycin, Oral

Combining erythromycin with lovastatin (Mevacor) can cause severe muscle wasting and damage to the kidneys. If you are taking both of these drugs, your doctor will monitor you closely for warning signs of this interaction.

If erythromycin is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining erythromycin with the following:

Benzodiazepines such as Halcion and Versed
Blood-thinning drugs such as Coumadin
Bromocriptine (Parlodel)
Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
Cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral)
Digoxin (Lanoxin)
Dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45)
Disopyramide (Norpace)
Ergotamine (Cafergot)
Hexobarbital
Seizure medications such as Depakene, Depakote, and Dilantin
Tacrolimus (Prograf)
Theophylline (Theo-Dur)