Erythromycin

Erythromycin is a macrolide antibiotic medicine available in Bangladesh under many brand names. Below are its uses, side effects and precautions — and every brand with its current price.

Doctors prescribe Erythromycin for a range of infections caused by sensitive bacteria, such as:

• Chest and respiratory infections — bronchitis, pneumonia and whooping cough
• Throat, tonsil and ear infections
• Skin and soft-tissue infections, including acne in some cases
• Dental and sinus infections
• Some sexually transmitted infections and eye infections

It is especially useful for patients who cannot take penicillin. Your doctor will confirm whether erythromycin is suitable for your particular infection.

Stomach-related effects are the most common with Erythromycin:

• Common: nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhoea and loss of appetite
• Less common: skin rash, itching and a temporary change in taste
• Serious (seek urgent help): severe diarrhoea, yellowing of the skin or eyes, irregular or fast heartbeat, fainting, or a severe allergic reaction with swelling and breathing difficulty

The stomach effects are often milder if you take the medicine with food. Tell your doctor if side effects are severe or do not settle.

Erythromycin is a prescription-only antibiotic. Take it only when a registered doctor prescribes it for you — never self-medicate, share it, or keep leftovers for another illness.

• Finish the entire course even if you feel well after a few doses. Stopping early allows hardy bacteria to survive and return.
• Antibiotic resistance is a serious and worsening problem in Bangladesh. Every unnecessary or incomplete antibiotic course makes future infections harder to cure.
• Tell your doctor if you have liver problems, a heart-rhythm condition, or a history of long QT.
• Inform the doctor of all other medicines, as erythromycin interacts with many drugs.

Erythromycin can change how many other medicines behave. Always give your doctor a full list of what you take. Important interactions include:

• Statins (such as simvastatin) — higher risk of muscle damage
• Warfarin — increased bleeding risk
• Theophylline, carbamazepine and digoxin — raised drug levels
• Drugs that affect heart rhythm (some antihistamines, antipsychotics)
• Ergot medicines for migraine

Because of these interactions, never combine erythromycin with new medicines without checking with your doctor or pharmacist.

Do not take Erythromycin if you:

• Are allergic to erythromycin or other macrolide antibiotics (such as azithromycin or clarithromycin)
• Have a serious heart-rhythm problem or known long-QT syndrome
• Have severe liver disease
• Are taking medicines that must not be combined with it, such as certain statins or ergot drugs

Share your full medical and medicine history with your doctor before starting treatment.

Erythromycin has been used during pregnancy and is often considered one of the more acceptable antibiotics when treatment is genuinely needed, but it should still only be taken on a doctor's advice.

Small amounts pass into breast milk; it is usually regarded as compatible with breastfeeding, though the baby should be watched for tummy upset. If you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding, tell your doctor before starting Erythromycin so the safest choice can be made for you and your baby.

Store Erythromycin in a cool, dry place below 30°C, away from heat, direct light and moisture.

• Keep tablets in their original pack.
• Reconstituted suspension may need refrigeration — follow the label and discard after the stated number of days.
• Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
• Do not use past the expiry date; return unused medicine to a pharmacy.