Erythromycin (Base) 250mg

Antibiotic, Macrolide

CSA NA – FDA Approved – REMS (N) – Can Ship

Erythromycin inhibits RNA-dependent protein synthesis which leads to cell death.  Erythromycin is classified as a macrolide antibiotic and been shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating properties.  Erythromycin has also been shown to function as a prokinetic that increases the contractile force and accelerates the intraluminal transit in patients with gastric dysmotility.

Officially indicated for susceptible bacterial infections and for colorectal surgical (preoperative) prophylaxis.  It is also prescribed off-label for acne vulgaris, chancroid, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, as an adjunctive prokinetic, and for gastroparesis.

Avoid using in patients with prolonged QT interval, uncorrected hypokalemia or hypomagnesemia, bradycardia, concurrent use of Class IA or Class III antiarrhythmic drugs

Avoid prolonged use to prevent the development of a fungal or bacterial superinfection

Use with caution in patients with hepatic impairment, myasthenia gravis

Gastroparesis

Oral: For patients refractory/intolerant to other prokinetic agents.  Take 250mg to 500 mg (base) 3 times daily before meals. Limit duration of therapy, tachyphylaxis may occur after 4 weeks.

Prokinetic (GI motility) Agents

Oral: Start taking 50mg at bedtime.  Can increase to 3mg/kg/dose 4 times daily if required.

How to Take Erythromycin, Eryc/Erythrocin/EES: Can be taken on an empty stomach (2 hours before or after a meal); may consider taking after food to decrease stomach upset.  Do not chew or break.

What to Watch for When Taking Erythromycin, Eryc/Erythrocin/EES: There are many significant drug-drug interactions that exist.  

The frequency of side effects has not been determined but we have provided a list of the cost common ones found below:

Cardiovascular: QTc prolongation, torsade de pointes, ventricular arrhythmia, ventricular tachycardia

Central Nervous System: Seizure

Dermatologic: Erythema multiforme, pruritus, skin rash, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, urticaria

Gastrointestinal: Abdominal pain, anorexia, diarrhea, nausea, oral candidiasis, pancreatitis, pseudomembranous colitis, pyloric stenosis (infantile hypertrophic), vomiting

Hepatic: Abnormal hepatic function tests, cholestatic jaundice (most common with estolate), hepatitis

Hypersensitivity: Anaphylaxis, hypersensitivity reaction

Local: Injection site phlebitis

Neuromuscular & skeletal: Weakness

Otic: Hearing loss

Renal: Interstitial nephritis