Medications and Drugs

GENERIC NAME: ERYTHROMYCIN ETHYLSUCCINATE - ORAL TABLET CHEWABLE (eh-rith-row-MY-sin ETH-ill-SUX-in-ate)

BRAND NAME(S): Eryped

Medication Uses | How To Use | Side Effects | Precautions | Drug Interactions | Overdose | Notes | Missed Dose | Storage

USES: Erythromycin is an antibiotic used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections. This antibiotic only treats bacterial infections. It will not work for viral infections (e.g., common cold, flu). Unnecessary use or overuse of any antibiotic can lead to its decreased effectiveness.

HOW TO USE: Tablet should be chewed thoroughly before swallowing. This medication may be taken with food or milk if stomach upset occurs. Antibiotics work best when the amount of medicine in your body is kept at a constant level. Do this by taking the medication at evenly spaced intervals throughout the day and night. Continue to take this medication until the full prescribed amount is finished even if symptoms disappear after a few days. Stopping the medication too early may allow bacteria to continue to grow resulting in a relapse of the infection.

SIDE EFFECTS: May cause stomach upset, diarrhea, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and stomach cramps the first few days as your body adjusts to the medication. If these symptoms persist or become severe, inform your doctor. Notify your doctor if you develop symptoms of jaundice such as: dark urine, clay-colored stools, yellowing of eyes or skin. In the unlikely event you have an allergic reaction to this drug, seek medical attention immediately. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

PRECAUTIONS: Tell your doctor your medical history, especially of: liver disease/jaundice, any allergies you have. Use of this medication for prolonged or repeated periods may result in a secondary infection (e.g., oral, bladder or vaginal yeast infection) Caution is advised when this drug is used in infants. Though very unlikely to happen, a stomach problem called IHPS (infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis) has been noted. Contact your child's doctor immediately if the child has persistent vomiting or increased irritability. This drug should be used only if clearly needed during pregnancy. Small amounts of drug appears in breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.