For the prophylaxis and treatment of infections caused by erythromycin-sensitive organisms.
Erythromycin is highly effective in the treatment of a great variety of clinical infections such as:
1. Upper Respiratory Tract infections: tonsillitis, peritonsillar abscess, pharyngitis, laryngitis, sinusitis, secondary infections in influenza and common colds
2. Lower Respiratory Tract infections: tracheitis, acute and chronic bronchitis, pneumonia (lobar pneumonia, bronchopneumonia, primary atypical pneumonia), bronchiectasis, Legionnaire's disease
3. Ear infection: otitis media and otitis externa, mastoiditis
4. Oral infections: gingivitis, Vincent's angina
5. Eye infections: blepharitis
6. Skin and soft tissue infections: boils and carbuncles, paronychia, abscesses, pustular acne, impetigo, cellulitis, erysipelas
7. Gastrointestinal infections: cholecystitis, staphylococcal enterocolitis
8. Prophylaxis: pre- and post-operative trauma, burns, rheumatic fever.
9. Other infections: osteomyelitis, urethritis, gonorrhoea, syphilis, lymphogranuloma venereum, diphtheria, prostatitis, scarlet fever
Note: Erythromycin has also proved to be of value in endocarditis and septicaemia, but in these conditions initial administration of erythromycin lactobionate by the intravenous route is advisable.
4.2 Posology and method of administration
Adults and children over 8 years: 2g/day in divided doses. For severe infections up to 4g/day in divided doses.
Children 2-8 years: 30 mg/kg/day in divided doses. For severe infections up to 50 mg/kg/day in divided doses.
Normal dose: 250mg four times a day or 500mg twice daily.
Children up to 2 years: 30mg/kg/day in divided doses. For severe infections up to 50mg/kg/day in divided doses.
Normal dose: 125mg four times a day or 250mg twice daily.
Presentations are available for adults and children over 8 years, children aged 2-8 years, and for children under 2 years.
4.3 Contraindications
Known hypersensitivity to erythromycin.
Erythromycin is contraindicated in patients taking astemizole, terfenadine, cisapride or pimozide.
Erythromycin is contraindicated with ergotamine and dihydroergotamine.
4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use
Erythromycin is excreted principally by the liver, so caution should be exercised in administering the antibiotic to patients with impaired hepatic function or concomitantly receiving potentially hepatotoxic agents. Hepatic dysfunction including increased liver enzymes and/or cholestatic hepatitis, with or without jaundice, has been infrequently reported with erythromycin.
Pseudomembranous colitis has been reported with nearly all antibacterial agents, including macrolides, and may range in severity from mild to life-threatening (see section.4.8). Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea (CDAD) has been reported with use of nearly all antibacterial agents including erythromycin, and may range in severity from mild diarrhoea to fatal colitis. Treatment with antibacterial agents alters the normal flora of the colon, which may lead to overgrowth of C. difficile. CDAD must be considered in all patients who present with diarrhoea following antibiotic use. Careful medical history is necessary since CDAD has been reported to occur over two months after the administration of antibacterial agents.
There have been reports suggesting erythromycin does not reach the foetus in adequate concentrations to prevent congenital syphilis. Infants born to women treated during pregnancy with oral erythromycin for early syphilis should be treated with an appropriate penicillin regimen.
There have been reports that erythromycin may aggravate the weakness of patients with myasthenia gravis.
Erythromycin interferes with the fluorometric determination of urinary catecholamines.
Rhabdomyolysis with or without renal impairment has been reported in seriously ill patients receiving erythromycin concomitantly with statins.
There have been reports of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS) occurring in infants following erythromycin therapy. In one cohort of 157 newborns who were given erythromycin for pertussis prophylaxis, seven neonates (5%) developed symptoms of non-bilious vomiting or irritability with feeding and were subsequently diagnosed as having IHPS requiring surgical pyloromyotomy. Since erythromycin may be used in the treatment of conditions in infants which are associated with significant mortality or morbidity (such as pertussis or chlamydia), the benefit of erythromycin therapy needs to be weighed against the potential risk of developing IHPS. Parents should be informed to contact their physician if vomiting or irritability with feeding occurs.
Shipping charges mainland GB zone1
| Value | Weight | Delivery Charge |
| Over £49.00 | Any Weight | FREE |
| Under £49.00 | No weight limit | £4.50 |
| Under £49.00 | Under 250 grams | £3.49 |
Most orders are despatched the same day and standard delivery is 3 to 5 working days from despatch. FAST Expedited options are available at extra cost - these usually arrive in 24-48hrs from dispatch but delays are possible during busy periods.
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