Erythromycin is an antibiotic. It is used to treat serious bacterial infections.
This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as decided by your doctor.
Take Erythromycin exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist whether you should take this medicine with or without food. Different preparations of this medicine may be taken differently.
This medicine is available as a tablet, capsule, or as an oral suspension.
If you are taking tablets or capsules, swallow it whole. Do not divide, chew or crush the tablet or capsule.
If you are taking an oral suspension, shake the bottle well before you take it to ensure that the liquid is evenly mixed. Use the measuring spoon or cup provided to measure your dose.
The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on the type and severity of your infection.
Take Erythromycin at regular intervals. Do not skip any doses. You must complete the entire course of this medicine. If you don't, the infection will not be properly controlled.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Do not take Erythromycin if you ever had an allergic reaction (e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes) to this medicine.
Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- history of heart rhythm disorder
- low blood potassium or magnesium levels
as Erythromycin may not be suitable for you.
Do not take Erythromycin with medicines used to treat high cholesterol, cold or allergy, mood disorders, migraine, irregular heartbeat, nausea and vomiting, overactive bladder, and stomach problems. Please see the section "Can I take this with other medicines?" below for more information.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- coronary artery disease (narrowing of the blood vessels of the heart)
- severe heart problems
- myasthenia gravis (muscle weakness disorder)
- liver disease
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving this medicine to a child. Children may be more sensitive to the side effects.
If you are going to have certain laboratory tests (e.g. urine test), inform your doctor that you are taking Erythromycin.
For as long as you are taking this medicine, you may need to have regular blood tests (e.g. liver or kidney function) to check your body’s response to the medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have blood tests.
Erythromycin may cause any of the following side effects: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain, dizziness with sensations of spinning, ringing in the ears, and itchiness.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- signs and symptoms of allergic reaction e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swelling of the face, eyes or mouth
- pass out bloody or black as tar stools and vomiting blood or ground coffee-like material, severe diarrhoea, loss of appetite
- rashes with peeling of the skin or blistering of the lips, mouth or eyes accompanied by fever
- signs and symptoms of heart rhythm disorder e.g. fast or irregular heartbeat, chest pain, shortness of breath
- yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain, dark coloured urine, tiredness, swelling in the legs and ankles
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Do not take Erythromycin if you are taking any of these medicines:
- cholesterol-lowering medicines e.g. simvastatin, lovastatin
- medicines for cold or allergy e.g. astemizole, mizolastine, terfenadine
- medicines for mood disorders e.g. amisulpride, pimozide
- medicines for migraine e.g. ergotamine, dihydroergotamine
- medicine for irregular heartbeat e.g. quinidine, amiodarone, sotalol
- domperidone (medicine for nausea and vomiting)
- tolterodine (medicine for overactive bladder)
- cisapride (medicine that neutralises stomach acids)
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- blood-thinning medicines e.g. acenocoumarol, rivaroxaban, warfarin
- colchicine (medicine for gout [high uric acid level in the blood])
- medicines for irregular heartbeat e.g. digoxin
- medicines for epilepsy (fits or seizures) e.g. carbamazepine, phenytoin, valproic acid
- medicine used in organ transplants or certain immune disorders e.g. ciclosporin, tacrolimus
- certain medicines to treat fungal infection e.g. ketoconazole, fluconazole, itraconazole
- rifampicin (medicine to treat TB [an infection known as tuberculosis])
- certain medicines for high blood pressure e.g. amlodipine, verapamil
- St. John's wort (herbal medicine)
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Erythromycin.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Store reconstituted suspension in the refrigerator. Do not freeze. If frozen, the medicine will become ineffective and should not be used. Throw away any unused portion within 10 days.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
Sign Out
