Erythromycin injection

July 17, 2018

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