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GENERIC NAME: ERYTHROMYCIN ESTOLATE - ORAL LIQUID (eh-rith-row-MY-sin ESS-toe-late)

BRAND NAME(S): Ilosone

WARNING: Erythromycin estolate may cause liver problems. This medication must not be used if you already have liver problems. Stop using this drug and notify your doctor immediately if you develop: nausea, vomiting, dark urine, yellowing of the eyes or skin, fever, severe stomach/abdominal pain, unusual fatigue.

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: This medication may be taken with food or milk if stomach upset occurs. Shake liquid well before using. 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 any of the following rare side effects occur: dark urine, pale stools, severe stomach pain, unusual tiredness or weakness, yellowing of the 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, allergies (especially drug allergies). 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 do appear in breast milk, so consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Tell your doctor of all the drugs you may use (prescription and nonprescription), especially of the following: carbamazepine, cyclosporine, theophylline, certain benzodiazepines (e.g., midazolam, triazolam), warfarin, felodipine (a calcium channel blocker), cisapride, corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone), digoxin, ergotamine-containing medications, sildenafil, certain live vaccines, disopyramide, phenytoin, all other antibiotics, certain "statin" drugs used to treat high cholesterol (e.g., atorvastatin, lovastatin, simvastatin). Other drugs besides erythromycin which may affect the heart rhythm (QTc prolongation in the EKG) include dofetilide, pimozide, quinidine, sotalol, procainamide, and sparfloxacin among others. QTc prolongation can infrequently result in serious, rarely fatal, irregular heartbeats. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details. Ask for instructions about whether you need to stop any other QTc-prolonging drugs you may be using in order to minimize the risk of this effect. This drug may interfere with the effectiveness of birth control pills. Discuss using other methods of birth control with your doctor. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.

OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly. Symptoms of overdose may include stomach cramping, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

NOTES: This medication has been prescribed for your current condition only. Do not use it later for another infection or give it to someone else. A different medication may be necessary.

MISSED DOSE: If you should miss a dose, take it as soon as remembered unless it is almost time for the next dose. If it is nearly time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not "double-up" the dose.

STORAGE: Store according to directions on package. Do not freeze. Check the expiration date of your prescription and discard any unused portion after that date or after your doctor tells you to stop taking it.

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