Erythromycin belongs to the class of medications known as macrolide antibiotics. It is used to treat infections caused by certain types of bacteria.

It is most commonly used to treat the following:

• lower respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia, Whooping Cough, diphtheria, and Legionnaires' Disease
• sexually transmitted infections such as Syphilis and Chlamydia
• skin infections (including Acne)
• upper respiratory infections such as Sinusitis and pharyngitis

Your doctor may have suggested Eryc for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. As well, some forms of Eryc may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking Eryc, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking Eryc without consulting your doctor.

Do not give Eryc to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take Eryc if their doctor has not prescribed it.

Adults: The recommended adult dose is 250 mg every 6 hours, 500 mg every 12 hours, or 333 mg every 8 hours. The maximum daily dose is 4 g. The exact dose and the length of treatment depends on the condition being treated.

Erythromycin enteric-coated pellets are available in capsules and can be taken without regard to meals. Taking the medication with food may reduce the risk of stomach upset.

Erythromycin 250 mg and 333 mg capsules (enteric-coated pellets) are not recommended for sprinkling, since the capsules are very full and some of the medication may be lost through spillage. If you must open the capsule, take care to open it over food so as not to lose any of the pellets.

To open the capsule, hold it with the clear end down. Gently twist off the cap. Sprinkle the entire contents of the capsule on a spoonful of applesauce, fruit jellies, ice cream, or other pleasant-tasting semi-solid food. Do not chew or crush the pellets. Swallow the spoonful of food and drink some water to make sure all the pellets are swallowed. If the pellets are accidentally spilled, start over with a new capsule and a new serving of food.

Children: The recommended dose for children depends on the age, weight, and condition of the person being treated.

Finish all of Eryc, even if you start to feel better.

Many things can affect the dose of a medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important to take Eryc exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store Eryc at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent. The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes Eryc. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of Eryc with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking Eryc. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• abdominal or stomach cramping and discomfort
• Diarrhea
• nausea or vomiting

Although most of these side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not check with your doctor or seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• confusion
• continued diarrhea even after you have finished taking Eryc
• hallucinations
• irregular or fast heartbeat
• loss of hearing (temporary)
• nausea or vomiting (severe)
• ringing in the ear
• seizures
• skin rash, redness, or itching
• stomach pain (severe)
• symptoms of liver damage (e.g., yellow skin or eyes, abdominal pain, dark urine, clay-coloured stools, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, or itching)
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• Vertigo

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• symptoms of a serious allergic reaction (e.g., swelling of the face or throat, Hives, or difficulty breathing)

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking Eryc.

250 mg
Each two-tone, clear and opaque orange capsule marked "Eryc 250 mg" and "Parke-Davis" contains 250 mg of erythromycin base as enteric-coated pellets. Nonmedicinal ingredients: cellulose acetate phthalate, diethyl phthalate, FD&C Yellow No. 6, lactose, methanol, methylene chloride, potassium phosphate monobasic, and povidone; capsule shell: FD&C Yellow No. 6, gelatin, and titanium dioxide. Gluten-, paraben-, sodium-, sulfite-, and tartrazine-free.

333 mg
Each two-tone, clear and opaque yellow capsule marked "Eryc 333 mg" and "Parke-Davis" contains 333 mg of erythromycin base as enteric-coated pellets. Nonmedicinal ingredients: cellulose acetate phthalate, diethyl phthalate, FD&C Yellow No. 6, lactose, methanol, methylene chloride, potassium phosphate monobasic, and povidone; capsule shell: D&C Yellow No. 10, D&C Red No. 33, gelatin, and titanium dioxide. Gluten-, paraben-, sulfite-, and tartrazine-free.

Erythromycin enteric-coated should not be taken by anyone who:

• is allergic to erythromycin or to any of the ingredients of the medication
• is allergic to clarithromycin or other macrolide antibiotics
• is taking astemizole*, terfenadine, cisapride, Pimozide, ergotamine, or Dihydroergotamine

*Astemizole, terfenadine, and cisapride are no longer marketed in Canada.

There may be an interaction between erythromycin enteric-coated and any of the following:

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Eryc. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Eryc.

Allergic reactions: Hives and mild rashes as well as infrequent serious allergic reactions have been reported by those taking Eryc. Erythromycin should be taken with caution by anyone who has had any form of allergy to medications. If you experience an allergic reaction to erythromycin, stop taking the medication and contact your doctor.

Diarrhea: Eryc is associated a serious infection called Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea, caused by the bacteria C. difficile. This can occur as late as 2 months after your last dose of Eryc. If you have loose, watery bowel movements that are green, foul-smelling, or bloody that may be accompanied by Fever after taking erythromycin, get medical attention as soon as possible.

Liver problems: People with reduced liver function should discuss with their doctor how Eryc may affect their medical condition, how their medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Eryc, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

There have been reports of liver problems occurring in a small percentage of people receiving erythromycin products, particularly erythromycin estolate. Anyone experiencing yellowing of the pigments of their eyes or skin (suggestive of jaundice) should see their doctor.

Myasthenia Gravis: Use of Eryc may aggravate this condition.

Overgrowth of organisms: Prolonged or repeated use of erythromycin may result in an overgrowth of bacteria or fungi and organisms that are not killed by the medication. This can cause problems such as yeast infections.

Pregnancy: Eryc should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking Eryc, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: Eryc passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking erythromycin, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety of erythromycin for use by newborns has not been established.