erythromycin base enteric coated delayed release – oral, Ery-Tab, Eryc, PCE
Medication Uses: Erythromycin is used to treat bacterial infections and may prevent certain bacterial infections.
How To Use: Take this medication as directed by your doctor. It is best absorbed when taken on an empty stomach. If nausea occurs, you may take it with food or milk. Swallow the medication whole. Do not crush, chew, or break it. The dosage and length of treatment depend on your medical condition and response to treatment. Antibiotics work best when the amount of medicine in your body is kept at a constant level, so take the drug at evenly spaced intervals. Continue taking the medication until the full prescribed amount is finished, even if symptoms disappear. If you are taking this medication to prevent bacterial infections, take it exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not stop taking the medication without your doctor’s approval.
Side Effects: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain/cramping, and loss of appetite may occur. Taking this medication with food may lessen these symptoms. Contact your doctor if you notice serious side effects, including signs of liver disease, unusual tiredness, muscle weakness, slurred speech, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, hearing loss, severe dizziness, fainting, or fast/irregular heartbeat. Erythromycin may rarely cause a severe intestinal condition (Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea). Inform your doctor of persistent diarrhea, abdominal or stomach pain/cramping, or blood/mucus in your stool. Prolonged or repeated use may result in oral thrush or a new yeast infection. If you notice white patches in your mouth, a change in vaginal discharge, or other new symptoms, contact your doctor. Seek immediate medical help if you experience a severe allergic reaction, such as rash, itching/swelling, severe dizziness, or trouble breathing.
Precautions: Before taking erythromycin, inform your doctor if you are allergic to it or other macrolide antibiotics, or if you have any other allergies. This medication may cause a condition that affects the heart rhythm (QT prolongation), especially if you have certain medical conditions or are using other drugs that may cause QT prolongation. Inform your doctor of your medical history, especially of liver disease, kidney disease, and myasthenia gravis. Erythromycin may interfere with certain live bacterial vaccines and may contain sodium, so consult your doctor if you are on a salt-restricted diet or have congestive heart failure. Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Drug Interactions: This medication may interact with other drugs and affect the heart rhythm. Keep a list of all the products you use and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor’s approval. Some products that may interact with this drug include clindamycin, digoxin, and certain antifungals, calcium channel blockers, anti-seizure medications, and statin drugs. Erythromycin may also affect the removal of other drugs from your body. Some antibiotics may decrease the effectiveness of hormonal birth control, so ask your doctor or pharmacist about additional birth control methods. Inform your doctor and laboratory personnel that you use this drug, as it may interfere with certain laboratory tests.
QUESTION
Overdose: If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. Notes: Do not share this medication with others. Use only as prescribed and do not use it later for another infection unless directed by your doctor. Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Keep out of reach of children and pets. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed.
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
If you experience negative side effects of prescription drugs, report them to the FDA. Selected data from First Databank, Inc. is for authorized use only. Conditions of use: This database is not a substitute for professional healthcare advice. Consult a healthcare professional before taking any drug, changing your diet, or starting or discontinuing any treatment.
