Erythromycin

About erythromycin

Erythromycin is prescribed to treat short-term (acute) bacterial infections, such as chest (respiratory) infections, urine infections, skin infections, and mouth infections. It can be taken by adults and children. It works by killing the germs (bacteria) causing the infection. It is also prescribed for some longer-term skin conditions such as acne and rosacea.

Erythromycin is also available as an ingredient in some skin preparations used to treat acne - see the separate medicine leaflet called Erythromycin (with zinc) skin solution for acne for more information about this.

Before taking erythromycin

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking erythromycin it is important that your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• Si está embarazada o en periodo de lactancia.

• If you have any problems with your liver or kidneys.

• If you know you have an unusual heart rhythm or you have any other heart or blood vessel problems.

• If you have been told you have low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood.

• If you have a muscle disorder called myasthenia gravis.

• Si padece un raro trastorno sanguíneo hereditario llamado porfiria.

• Si está tomando otros medicamentos. Esto incluye cualquier medicamento que esté tomando y que pueda adquirirse sin receta, así como medicamentos a base de plantas y complementarios.

• Si alguna vez ha tenido una reacción alérgica a un medicamento.

How to take erythromycin

• Before you start taking this antibiotic, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. The leaflet will give you more information about it and a full list of side-effects which you may experience from taking it.

• Take erythromycin exactly as your doctor tells you to. It is usually prescribed four times daily, although one or two doses daily may be sufficient for some conditions. Your doctor or pharmacist will tell you which dose is right for you (or for your child). Your dose will also be on the label of the pack to remind you. Space the doses out evenly during the day.

• Swallow erythromycin tablets whole, with a drink of water. Do not chew them. You may take erythromycin before or after food.

• When erythromycin is prescribed for a child, the dose depends upon the child's weight. Make sure you read the label carefully so that you measure out the correct amount of medicine.

• Even if you feel your infection has cleared up, keep taking this antibiotic until the course is finished unless your doctor tells you otherwise. This is to prevent the infection from coming back. A course of treatment for a short-term (acute) infection often lasts around 5-14 days. It may last for longer than this if you are taking erythromycin for chronic prostatitis, acne or rosacea - in these cases it is quite normal for your treatment to continue for several weeks or months.

• Si sigue sintiéndose mal después de terminar el tratamiento, pida otra cita con su médico para que le aconseje.

• If you forget to take a dose, take one as soon as you remember. Try to take the correct number of doses each day, but do not take two doses at the same time to make up for a forgotten one.

Aproveche al máximo su tratamiento

• If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with erythromycin. If you regularly take an indigestion remedy, make sure your doctor knows about this, as some brands of erythromycin should not be taken at the same time as antacids. Check the label on your pack of erythromycin for more information about this.

• Some people develop thrush (redness and itchiness in the mouth or vagina) after taking a course of antibiotics. If this happens to you, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

• Si utiliza anticonceptivos hormonales orales combinados (la "píldora"), no es necesario tomar precauciones anticonceptivas adicionales, como preservativos, durante el tratamiento con este antibiótico, a menos que esté enferma (vomite) o tenga diarrea. Si necesita más información al respecto, consulte a su médico o farmacéutico.

• Este antibiótico puede impedir que actúe la vacuna oral contra la fiebre tifoidea. Si se va a vacunar, asegúrese de que la persona que le trata sabe que está tomando este medicamento.

Can erythromycin cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, all medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below lists some of the most common ones associated with erythromycin. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve over the first few days of taking a new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side-effects continue or become troublesome.

On rare occasions treatment with erythromycin could cause an allergic reaction such as an itchy rash, swelling of the face or mouth and breathing difficulties. If you experience any of these symptoms, stop taking erythromycin and contact your doctor for advice.

Si experimenta cualquier otro síntoma que considere que puede deberse a este medicamento, consulte a su médico o farmacéutico.

How to store erythromycin

• Mantenga todos los medicamentos fuera del alcance y de la vista de los niños.

• Almacenar en un lugar fresco y seco, lejos del calor y la luz directos.

• If you have been given liquid medicine, it will have been made up by the pharmacy and it lasts for a limited number of days only. Check the expiry date on the bottle and do not use it after this date. Store it in the fridge.

Información importante sobre todos los medicamentos