Erythromycin 250mg

About Erythromycin

Description

Erythromycin is a macrolide antibiotic. The active ingredient is Erythromycin. It is a suitable alternative for patients who are allergic to penicillins such as amoxicillin. It is used to treat infections caused by bacteria in different parts of the body.

Suitability

Erythromycin is not suitable if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to Erythromycin or other macrolide antibiotics such as clarithromycin or azithromycin or any of the other ingredients of this medicine listed in the patient information leaflet.

Important Interactions

Do not take Erythromycin if you are taking:

• ergotamine or dihydroergotamine (used to treat migraines), as this may cause serious side effects
• terfenadine or astemizole or mizolastine (widely taken for hayfever and allergies), domperidone (for nausea (feeling sick) and vomiting (being sick), cisapride (for stomach disorders) or pimozide or amisulpride (for psychiatric conditions), as combining these drugs can sometimes cause serious disturbances in heart rhythm; consult your doctor for advice on alternative medicines you can take instead
• colchicine (used for treatment of gout and arthritis), as this may cause serious side effects
• 'statins' such as simvastatin or lovastatin (used to lower cholesterol), as serious side effects can occur
• other medicines which are known to cause serious disturbances in heart rhythm or you have heart problems; please consult your doctor for advice on alternative medicines you can take instead

Side Effects

• decreased appetite
• diarrhoea
• dizziness
• gastrointestinal discomfort
• gastrointestinal disorders
• headache
• hearing impairment
• insomnia
• nausea
• vomiting
• pancreatitis
• skin reactions
• altered taste
• vision disorders
• paraesthesia (abnormal sensation, typically tingling or pricking)
• decreased blood pressure

Please Note

All medication can cause side effects. We have only listed a few to be aware of. Details of all side effects, including rare side effects to be aware of, are listed in the patient information leaflet (PIL). When completing your medical questionnaire, it is very important that you answer the questions truthfully. This is to ensure your doctor has a full picture of your medical history before prescribing. List all medicines you are already taking, including non-prescription and herbal medicines.

Looking after your medicine

Do not take medicines after the expiry date stamped on the pack. Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.

Medicines are only intended to be used by the person they are prescribed for. Do not give your prescribed medicine to anybody else, even if they have the same symptoms as you. Medicines can be harmful if used by anybody other than the person they have been prescribed for.

References

Erythromycin 250mg Patient Information Leaflet

British National Formulary: erythromycin

Is Erythromycin a penicillin?

Erythromycin is an antibiotic belonging to a group of medicines called macrolide antibiotics. It is not a penicillin and is therefore suitable for people allergic to penicillin including amoxicillin. As with all antibiotics, it is important to complete your prescribed course, even if you start to feel better. This is to ensure your infection is completely gone and you do not contribute to antibiotic resistance.

Is Erythromycin like amoxicillin?

Both Erythromycin and amoxicillin are antibiotics. They have a similar spectrum of use but are not identical. Erythromycin can however be a good alternative to use in patients with known allergy to penicillins such as amoxicillin.

Can I buy Erythromycin over the counter?

In the UK all antibiotics require a prescription. Whilst travelling, you may come across countries where antibiotics such as Erythromycin are available over the counter. We do not recommend you purchase antibiotics over the counter like this or online without a prescription. If you do not get your antibiotics from a reputable source, you may risk buying counterfeit or fake medicines which can harm your health.

Can you drink alcohol with Erythromycin?

Whilst there are no specific warnings about avoiding alcohol whilst taking Erythromycin, alcohol can delay its absorption and is therefore best avoided.

How long does Erythromycin stay in my system?

Erythromycin levels in the blood tend to peak around 4 hours after taking the dose. This means that the levels of this antibiotic in the blood will typically start to fall after 4 hours. Therefore it is important to take your medicine to the schedule recommended by your doctor, which is usually 2-4 times per day depending on dose and infection.