Erythromycin

Uses:

Erythromycin is an antibiotic used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections, such as respiratory tract infections, middle ear infections, and skin infections.

How To Take This Medication:

This medication is best taken on an empty stomach. It may be taken with food or milk if stomach upset occurs, however, this will reduce blood drug levels. Take each dose with a full glass of water or fluid. The medication must be swallowed whole to prevent stomach upset. Antibiotics work best when the amount of medicine in your body is kept at a constant level. Do this by taking the medication at evenly spaced intervals throughout the day and night. Continue to take this medication until the full prescribed amount is finished even if symptoms disappear after a few days. Stopping the medication too early may allow bacteria to continue to grow resulting in a relapse of the infection.

Side Effects:

May cause stomach upset, diarrhea, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and stomach cramps the first few days as your body adjusts to the medication. If these symptoms persist or become severe, inform your doctor.

Precautions:

If you have had liver disease or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), tell your doctor before you take this drug. Throw away any unused part of your prescription after your doctor tells you to stop taking it. Erythromycin may lose its effectiveness over time and should not be saved to treat other infections. This drug should be used only if clearly needed during pregnancy. Small amounts of drug do appear in breast milk, so consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Drug Interactions:

Tell your doctor what medications you take, especially carbamazepine, cyclosporine, theophylline, triazolam, warfarin, terfenadine, astemizole or cisapride.

Missed Dose:

If you should miss a dose, take it as soon as remembered unless it is almost time for the next dose. If it is nearly time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not "double-up" the dose.

Storage:

Store at room temperature away from moisture and and sunlight. Do not freeze. Do not store in the bathroom.

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