Erythromycin(er ith roe mye’ sin)
Erythromycin Base
Oral, ophthalmic ointment, topical dermatologic solution for acne, topical dermatologic ointment: Akne-mycin, A/T/S, Apo-Erythro (CAN), Apo-Erythro E-C (CAN), Erybid (CAN), EryDerm, Erygel, EryPads, Ery-Tab, Erythromycin Film-tabs, PCE Dispertab
Erythromycin Estolate (CAN)
Novo-Rythro Estolate (CAN)
Erythromycin Ethylsuccinate
Oral: Apo-Erythro ES (CAN), E.E.S. 400, E.E.S. Granules, EryPed 200, EryPed 400, EryPed Drops, Novo-Rhythro Ethylsuccinate (CAN)
Erythromycin Gluceptate Erythromycin Lactobionate
Erythrocin I.V. (CAN), Erythrocin Lactobionate
Erythromycin Stearate
Apo-Erythro-S (CAN)
PREGNANCY CATEGORY B
Drug Classes
Macrolide antibiotic
Therapeutic Actions
Bacteriostatic or bactericidal in susceptible bacteria; binds to cell membrane, causing change in protein function, leading to cell death.
Indications
Systemic administration
Acute infections caused by sensitive strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Listeria monocytogenes, Legionella pneumophila
URIs, lower respiratory tract infections, skin and soft-tissue infections caused by group A beta-hemolytic streptococci when oral treatment is preferred to injectable benzathine penicillin
PID caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae in patients allergic to penicillin
In conjunction with sulfonamides in URIs caused by Haemophilus influenzae
As an adjunct to antitoxin in infections caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae and Corynebacterium minutissimum
Prophylaxis against alpha-hemolytic streptococcal endocarditis before dental or other procedures in patients allergic to penicillin who have valvular heart disease
Oral erythromycin: Treatment of intestinal amebiasis caused by Entamoeba histolytica; infections in the newborn and in pregnancy that are caused by Chlamydia trachomatis and in adult chlamydial infections when tetracycline cannot be used; primary syphilis (Treponema pallidum) in penicillin-allergic patients; eliminating Bordetella pertussis organisms from the nasopharynx of infected individuals and as prophylaxis in exposed and susceptible individuals
Unlabeled uses: Erythromycin base is used with neomycin before colorectal surgery to reduce wound infection; treatment of severe diarrhea associated with Campylobacter enteritis or enterocolitis; treatment of genital, inguinal, or anorectal lymphogranuloma venereum infection; treatment of Haemophilus ducreyi (chancroid)
Ophthalmic ointment
Treatment of superficial ocular infections caused by susceptible strains of microorganisms; prophylaxis of ophthalmia neonatorum caused by N. gonorrhoeae or C. trachomatis
Topical dermatologic solutions for acne
Treatment of acne vulgaris
Topical dermatologic
Granules used with flexible hydroactive dressings for dermal ulcers, pressure ulcers, leg ulcers, superficial wounds, and postoperative wounds
Treatment of skin infections caused by sensitive microorganisms
Contraindications and Cautions
Systemic administration
Contraindicated with allergy to erythromycin.
Use cautiously with hepatic impairment, lactation (secreted and may be concentrated in breast milk; may modify bowel flora of nursing infant and interfere with fever workups).
Ophthalmic ointment
Contraindicated with allergy to erythromycin; viral, fungal, mycobacterial infections of the eye.
Available Forms
Base: Tablets—250, 500 mg; DR tablets—250, 333, 500 mg; DR capsules—250 mg; ophthalmic ointment—5 mg/g.; Stearate tablets—250 mg; ethylsuccinate: Ethylsuccinate tablets—400 mg; suspension—200, 400 mg/5 mL; powder for suspension—200 mg/5 mL, 400 mg/5mL; granules for suspension—200 mg/5 mL; topical solution—2%; topical gel, ointment—2%; topical pad—2%.; Lactobionate injection—500, 1,000 mg.
Dosages
Systemic administration
Oral preparations of the different erythromycin salts differ in pharmacokinetics: 400 mg erythromycin ethylsuccinate produces the same free erythromycin serum levels as 250 mg of erythromycin base, stearate, or estolate.
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