Generic Name(s): Erythromycin

Brand Name(s): PCE

This medication description is not meant for treatment prescription without the intervention of a specialist

Common Uses:

Treating infections caused by certain bacteria. It is also used to prevent bacterial endocarditis and attacks of rheumatic fever. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

How to use:

Before start taking any new medicine please consult with a doctor. Take Erythromycin by mouth with or without food. If stomach upset occurs, take with food to reduce stomach irritation.

• Swallow Erythromycin whole. Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing.
• Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you use Erythromycin .
• Erythromycin works best if taken at the same times each day.
• To clear up your infection completely, take Erythromycin for the full course of treatment. Keep taking it even if you feel better in a few days.
• If you miss a dose of Erythromycin , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Warning and Precautions:
Some medical conditions may interact with Erythromycin . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have diarrhea or a stomach or intestinal infection
• if you have a history of kidney or liver disease, heart problems, fast or irregular heartbeat, myasthenia gravis, or the blood disease porphyria

Important safety information:

• Mild diarrhea is common with antibiotic use. However, a more serious form of diarrhea (pseudomembranous colitis) may rarely occur. This may develop while you use the antibiotic or within several months after you stop using it. Contact your doctor right away if stomach pain or cramps, severe diarrhea, or bloody stools occur. Do not treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor.
• Erythromycin only works against bacteria; it does not treat viral infections (eg, the common cold).
• Be sure to use Erythromycin for the full course of treatment. If you do not, the medicine may not clear up your infection completely. The bacteria could also become less sensitive to this or other medicines. This could make the infection harder to treat in the future.
• Long-term or repeated use of Erythromycin may cause a second infection. Tell your doctor if signs of a second infection occur. Your medicine may need to be changed to treat this.
• Lab tests, including liver function, kidney function, and complete blood cell counts, may be performed while you use Erythromycin . These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Erythromycin while you are pregnant. Erythromycin is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Erythromycin , check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Side Effects:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Diarrhea; loss of appetite; nausea; stomach pain; vomiting.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bloody stools; hearing changes; irregular heartbeat; muscle weakness; red, swollen, or blistered skin; severe diarrhea; severe stomach pain or cramps; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

 
Overdose:
Almost any medicine taking in excess doses without consultation with your doctor can cause an overdose.

Missed Dose: If your doctor gave you strict instructions not to miss dose and if you missed one take the missed dose as soon as you remembered. If it is time for your next dose, skip it and continue taking you medicine regularly. Do not double the medicine. It can cause severe side effects.

Do not use this medicine:
if you have any allergic reaction to any component of this medicine

Storage conditions:
Erythromycin should be kept away from heat, direct light, water, moisture at a room temperature (approximately 23 degrees C ). The medicine should be kept in a place unreachable for children.

All information given above is a summary. You must visit your doctor, pharmacies or health care provider can provide more information about this medicine. Do not share this medicine with others for whom it was not prescribed. Do not use this medicine for other health conditions. Do not store medication with end term of storage.