How Effective is Erythromycin? It’s Dosage & Side Effects

You must take erythromycin as prescribed until you complete the dosage given. The symptoms of erythromycin may improve before the infection is totally cured. If you skip doses you will be putting your life at risk of getting infections that are resistant to antibiotics. Erythromycin will not clear viral infections like flu or common cold.

Antibiotic drugs can also cause diarrhea which is a symptom of a new infection. You should stop taking Erythromycin immediately and inform your doctor if you have a bloody or watery diarrhea.

Erythromycin utilized effectively in preventing or treating various types of bacterial infections. Erythromycin is a drug belonging to a group of drugs known as macrolide antibiotics. Microlide antibiotics are used effectively in reducing the growth or killing active bacteria by inhibiting the generation of vital proteins required by the bacteria to survive.

Erythromycin can result to dangerous or unpleasant contraindications if used together with other drugs. Such drugs include pimozide, ergotamine, cisapride and dihydroergotamine. Your physician may change your treatment if you are on these drugs before prescribing erythromycin.

You should inform your physician if you are suffering from myasthenia gravis, liver diseases, history of long QT syndrome, heart beat rythm disorder or if you have low levels of magnesium or potassium in your blood before you take erythromycin.

1.    Campylobacter Gastroenteritis
2.    Chancroid
3.    Lymphogranuloma Venereum
4.    Mycoplasma Pneumonia
5.    Nongonococcal Urethritis
6.    Otitis Media
7.    Pharyngitis
8.    Pneumonia
9.    Skin or Soft Tissue Infection
10.    Syphilis at Early Stage
11.    Upper Respiratory Tract Infection
12.    Bronchitis
13.    Chlamydia Infection
14.    Lyme Disease

For Mild to moderate infection: Take erythromycin between 250 to 500 mg (estolate, base, stearate) or between 400 to 800 mg (ethylsuccinate) take orally for every 6 hours.

Although erythromycin dosage for this condition has not been established, clinicians have been prescribing between 1 to 4g per day to be taken orally or 4 in divided dosage for every six hours or by progressing infusion.

Take 1g of stearate or 800mg of ethylsuccinate orally 2hours before procedure, then take one half of the amount for every six hours after initial dose.

Erythromycin drug was recommended previously by the American heart association for treating prophylaxis before oral, dental and upper respiratory tracts procedures that are at risk in penicillin allergic patients. This drug is no longer recommended due to high cases of gastrointestinal adverse effects and complex pharmacokinetics of various formulations. However, the patients who reacted positively with erythromycin in the past in treatment of prophylaxis can continue using the drug if they want. Currently clarithromycin and azithromycin can be used for treating prophylaxis in patients who are allergic to penicillin while clindamycin the 1st invention cephalosporins can be used in those who have not experienced IgE-mediated anaphylactIc response to penicillin.

Administer 1g base orally at 1, 2 and 11pm respectively a day prior to surgery (assuming surgery will be performed at 8am) taken with 1g of neomycin and bowel evacuates.

Take 250mg twice in one day. Erythromycin drug is recommended by the American Association for treating long term prophylaxis of streptococcal upper respiratory tract infections in preventing recurrence of rheumatic fever in patients who are allergic to sulfonamides and penicillin.

You should seek emergency medical assistance if you experience these allergic reactions to erythromycin. These side effects include difficulty in breathing, hives, swelling of throat, lips, tongue, face or lips. Contact your doctor immediately if you have;

• Bloody or watery diarrhea.
• Chest pain and headache, fast and pounding heartbeat, fainting and severe dizziness.
• Liver problems such as loss of appetite, upper stomach pain, itching, dark urine, tired feeling, nausea, clay colored stools, yellowing of skin.
• severe skin reaction- sore throat, fever, swelling on your tongue or face, skin pain, burning essence in your eyes followed by purple or red skin rash that spreads on the upper body or face causing peeling or blisters.

Elderly people may have serious contraindications from Erythromycin drugs which includes fast heart rate and loss of hearing.

Common side effects of erythromycin include mild diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, stomach pain and loss of appetite.