Erythromycin is a macrolide antibiotic medication that is used to treat or prevent various Gram-positive bacterial infections of the skin and upper respiratory tract including bronchitis, pneumonia, Legionnaires’ disease, pertussis and diphtheria. It can also be used to treat chlamydia infections, pelvic inflammatory disease, and syphilis. Erythromycin works by inhibiting growth of bacteria, especially at higher concentrations. It binds to the 50s subunit of the bacterial RNA complex, interfering with aminoacyl translocation and stopping protein synthesis and other structure and function processes in the bacteria that are needed for the bacteria to live and replicate. Before using Erythromycin, tell your doctor about any medications you are currently taking in order to reduce the risk of interactions. As well, tell your doctor if you have liver disease, myasthenia gravis, a hearth rhythm disorder, a history of long QT syndrome, or low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood, as Erythromycin may not be right for you. Take Erythromycin for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection has fully cleared, and skipping doses or stopping the medication all together may increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to antibiotics.
Common side effects of Erythromycin may include loss of appetite, mild diarrhea, mild stomach pain, nausea and vomiting. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody, headache with chest pain and severe dizziness, fainting, fast or pounding heartbeats, hearing problems, or any sign of liver problems, including loss of appetite, stomach pain, dark urine, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). If you experience any serious side effects, an extremely fast heart rate, a severe skin reaction, or signs or an allergic reaction, seek emergency medical attention.
Erythromycin Availability
Big Mountain Drugs currently offers Erythromycin Capsules, manufactured by Pfizer in Canada, in dosages of 250 mg and 333 mg capsules. The generic Erythromycin is manufactured in Canada by a different manufacturer in the dosage of 250 mg tablets.