Erythromycins, Oral

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antibiotic

Generic and brand names: erythromycin base, oral; erythromycin estolate, oral; erythromycin ethylsuccinate, oral; erythromycin stearate, oral; erythromycins, oral; E-Base; E-Mycin; E.E.S.; Ery-Tab; EryPed; Eryc; Erythrocin Stearate; Erythromycin Base Filmtabs; Ilosone; PCE Dispertab; Robimycin Robitabs

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is an antibiotic taken by mouth to treat infections such as:

• pneumonia
• skin infections
• ear infections
• pharyngitis
• sinusitis
• tonsillitis
• sexually transmitted diseases
• advanced HIV infection.

This medicine is also used to prevent strep infections in people with certain heart diseases.

This medicine may be used with other medicines to treat stomach and duodenal ulcers caused by Helicobacter pylori bacteria.

This medicine will not cure viral infections such as colds and the flu.

What should my health care provider know before I take this medicine?

Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines (including nonprescription products) to avoid possible drug interactions.

Tell your health care provider if you are allergic to any antibiotics.

Females of childbearing age: Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant because it may harm the baby. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant while taking this medicine. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your health care provider's approval.

How do I take it?

Take this medicine exactly as your health care provider prescribes. Do not take more or less or take it longer than prescribed. Do not stop taking this medicine without your health care provider's approval, even if you feel better. If you stop taking it too soon, the infection may return.

If you have a strep infection, take this medicine for at least 10 days or as directed by your health care provider.

This medicine comes in tablet and liquid forms. You may take it with meals or milk. This medicine usually works best when taken 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.

If you have the liquid form, shake the bottle well before pouring a dose. The liquid can be used for 14 days if the cap is kept tightly closed. Discard any unused liquid after 14 days because it loses its strength.

If this medicine upsets your stomach, you may take it with meals. Follow your health care provider's directions.

Chewable tablets can be chewed or crushed before swallowing. Enteric-coated, extended-release, and delayed-release tablets and capsules must be swallowed whole. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist which type of tablets you have.

Do not miss any doses. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your health care provider.

What should I watch out for?

Do not take this medicine for other infections unless your health care provider approves. Do not use it beyond the expiration date on the label.

Contact your health care provider if your condition does not improve in a few days or if it gets worse.

You may need to have lab tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests.

If you develop diarrhea while you are taking this medicine, contact your health care provider. Do not treat yourself by taking nonprescription products for diarrhea.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious (report these to your health care provider right away): Severe stomach pain, dark urine, light-colored bowel movements, hearing problems, weakness, yellowish eyes or skin, irregular heartbeat.

Other: Diarrhea, sore mouth, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps or upset.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your health care provider if you are taking:

• alfentanil (Alfenta)
• antihistamines
• benzodiazepines such as alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium), midazolam (Versed), and triazolam (Halcion)
• birth control pills
• blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin)
• bromocriptine (Parlodel)
• buspirone (BuSpar)
• carbamazepine (Tegretol)
• cisapride (Propulsid)
• cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral)
• digoxin (Lanoxin)
• disopyramide (Norpace)
• ergot medicines such as ergotamine (Ergomar), methysergide (Sansert), and dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45)
• fluconazole (Diflucan)
• kaolin (Kaopectate and certain other diarrhea medicines)
• losartan (Cozaar, Hyzaar)
• lovastatin (Mevacor)
• methylprednisolone (Medrol)
• midazolam (Versed)
• omeprazole (Prilosec)
• penicillin
• phenytoin (Dilantin)
• pimozide (Orap)
• probenecid (Benemid)
• rifabutin (Mycobutin)
• rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane)
• simvastatin (Zocor)
• tacrolimus (Prograf)
• theophylline
• triazolam (Halcion)
• valproate (Depakene, Depakote)
• zidovudine (Retrovir/AZT).

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all health care providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light. Discard any unused liquid after 14 days because it loses its strength.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.