Generic name: erythromycin (oral/injection) [ er-ITH-roe-MYE-sin ]
Brand names: E.E.S. Granules, E.E.S.-200, E.E.S.-400 Filmtab, EryPed 200, EryPed 400, ... show all 8 brands Ery-Tab, Erythrocin Lactobionate, Erythrocin Stearate Filmtab
Drug class: Macrolides

Medically reviewed by Sanjai Sinha, MD. Last updated on Mar 21, 2024.

What is erythromycin?

Erythromycin belongs to a group of drugs called macrolide antibiotics. Macrolide antibiotics slow the growth of, or sometimes kill, sensitive bacteria by reducing the production of important proteins needed by the bacteria to survive.

Erythromycin is used to treat or prevent many different types of infections caused by bacteria.

Erythromycin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Warnings

Some medicines can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used with erythromycin. Your doctor may need to change your treatment plan if you use cisapride, pimozide, ergotamine, or dihydroergotamine.

Before you take erythromycin, tell your doctor if you have liver disease, myasthenia gravis, a heart rhythm disorder, a history of Long QT syndrome, or low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood.

Take this medicine for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses may also increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to antibiotics. Erythromycin will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, stop taking erythromycin and call your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use erythromycin if you are allergic to it.

Some medicines can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used with erythromycin. Your doctor may change your treatment plan if you also use:

• lovastatin, simvastatin;

• cisapride;

• pimozide; or

• ergotamine, or dihydroergotamine.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• liver or kidney disease;

• myasthenia gravis;

• a heart rhythm disorder (especially if you take medicine to treat it);

• long QT syndrome (in you or a family member); or

• an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood).

It is not known whether erythromycin will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.

How should I use erythromycin?

Take erythromycin exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Erythromycin oral is taken by mouth.

Erythromycin injection is given as an infusion into a vein, for a severe infection.

You must chew the chewable tablet before you swallow it.

Do not crush, chew, or break a delayed-release capsule or tablet. Swallow it whole.

Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time, even if your symptoms quickly improve. Skipping doses can increase your risk of infection that is resistant to medication. Erythromycin will not treat a viral infection such as the flu or a common cold.

This medicine can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using erythromycin.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not use two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while using erythromycin?

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, call your doctor before using anti-diarrhea medicine.

Erythromycin side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to erythromycin (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody (even if it occurs months after your last dose);

• headache with chest pain and severe dizziness, fainting, fast or pounding heartbeats;

• a seizure;

• hearing problems (rare);

• pancreatitis - severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting; or

• liver problems - loss of appetite, stomach pain (upper right side), tiredness, easy bruising or bleeding, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Serious side effects may be more likely in older adults, including hearing loss, or a life-threatening fast heart rate.

Call your doctor if a baby using this medicine is vomiting or irritable with feeding.

Common erythromycin side effects may include:

• severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody (even if it occurs months after your last dose);

• liver problems; or

• abnormal liver function tests.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect erythromycin?

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Many drugs can interact with erythromycin, and some drugs should not be used at the same time. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here.

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Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use erythromycin only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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