Erythromycin injection
Erythromycin injection
What is this medicine?
ERYTHROMYCIN (er ith roe MYE sin) is a macrolide antibiotic. It is used to treat certain kinds of bacterial infections. It will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections.
How should I use this medicine?
This medicine is for injection into a vein. It is usually given by a health care professional in a hospital or clinic setting.
If you get this medicine at home, you will be taught how to prepare and give this medicine. Use exactly as directed. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.
It is important that you put your used needles and syringes in a special sharps container. Do not put them in a trash can. If you do not have a sharps container, call your pharmacist or healthcare provider to get one.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for selected conditions, precautions do apply
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
breathing problems
chest pain
dark urine
feeling faint, lightheaded
hearing loss
irregular heartbeat
pain, redness where injected
redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
unusually weak or tired
yellowing of eyes or skin
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
diarrhea
loss of appetite
nausea, vomiting
stomach pain
What may interact with this medicine?
Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:
astemizole
certain medicines for cholesterol like atorvastatin, cerivastatin, lovastatin, simvastatin
certain medicines for fungal infections like fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole
certain medicines for irregular heart beat like amiodarone, disopyramide, dofetilide, dronedarone, flecainide, procainamide, propafenone, quinidine
certain medicines for psychotic disturbances like mesoridazine, pimozide, thioridazine, ziprasidone
chloroquine
cisapride
droperidol
eplerenone
ergot alkaloids like ergotamine and dihydroergotamine
methadone
other antibiotics like grepafloxacin or sparfloxacin
sirolimus
terfenadine
vinblastine
red yeast rice
This medicine may also interact with the following medications:
alfentanil
birth control
bromocriptine
carbamazepine
certain medicines for anxiety or sleep
certain medicines that treat or prevent blood clots like warfarin
cyclosporine
digoxin
other medicines that prolong the QT interval (cause an abnormal heart rhythm)
phenytoin
theophylline
valproate
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, use only that dose. Do not use double or extra doses.
Where should I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children.
If you are using this medicine at home, you will be instructed on how to store this medicine. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date on the label.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
liver disease
myasthenia gravis
taking terfenadine or astemizole
an unusual or allergic reaction to erythromycin, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
pregnant or trying to get pregnant
breast-feeding
What should I watch for while using this medicine?
Tell your doctor or health care professional if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.
Do not treat diarrhea with over the counter products. Contact your doctor if you have diarrhea that lasts more than 2 days or if it is severe and watery.
Updated:  
July 17, 2018