Erythromycin (By injection)
e-rith-roe-MYE-sin lak-toe-BYE-oh-nate
Treats infections. Also helps prevent heart infections and rheumatic fever. This medicine is a macrolide antibiotic.
Drug classes
Antibiotic (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Erythromycin injection is used to treat bacterial infections in many different parts of the body. It is also used to treat diphtheria, acute pelvic inflammatory disease, and Legionnaire’s disease. This medicine is also used to prevent bacterial endocarditis and rheumatic fever to occur again in patients who have had an allergic reaction to penicillin or sulfa drugs.
Erythromycin belongs to the class of medicines known as macrolide antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria or preventing their growth. However, this medicine will not work for colds, flu, or other virus infections.
This medicine is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of a doctor.
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Injectable
Your doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein.
A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Some medicines can affect how erythromycin works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:
Alfentanil, bromocriptine, carbamazepine, cyclosporine, digoxin, disopyramide, lovastatin, phenytoin, theophylline, valproate Blood thinner (including warfarin)When Not To Use
This medicine is not right for everyone. You should not receive it if you had an allergic reaction to erythromycin.
Warnings
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, heart rhythm problems, or myasthenia gravis.
This medicine may cause the following problems:
Liver problems Heart rhythm problemsThis medicine can cause diarrhea. Call your doctor if the diarrhea becomes severe, does not stop, or is bloody. Do not take any medicine to stop diarrhea until you have talked to your doctor. Diarrhea can occur 2 months or more after you stop taking this medicine.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Blistering, peeling, red skin rash
Dark urine or pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes
Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat
Hearing loss
Severe diarrhea, stomach cramps, fever
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Mild diarrhea
Pain, itching, swelling, or a lump under your skin where the needle is placed
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Erythrocin Lactobionate
There may be other brand names for this medicine.