In this Article

• What is erythromycin (Eryc)?
• What are the possible side effects of erythromycin?
• What is the most important information I should know about erythromycin?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking erythromycin?
• How should I take erythromycin?
• What happens if I miss a dose?
• What happens if I overdose?
• What should I avoid while taking erythromycin?
• What other drugs will affect erythromycin?
• Where can I get more information?

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking erythromycin?

You should not not take erythromycin if you are allergic to it, or if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• cisapride (Propulsid);
• pimozide (Orap); or
• dihydroergotamine (Migranal) or ergotamine (Ergomar, Cafergot, Migergot).

To make sure you can safely take erythromycin, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• liver disease; or
• myasthenia gravis.

FDA pregnancy category B. Erythromycin is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

Erythromycin can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take erythromycin?

Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

You may take erythromycin with or without food.

Do not crush, chew, break, or open an enteric-coated or delayed-release pill. Swallow it whole. The enteric coated pill has a special coating to protect your stomach. Breaking the pill will damage this coating. Breaking or opening a delayed-release pill may cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.

The chewable tablet must be chewed before swallowing.

Measure liquid medicine with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one. Shake the oral suspension well just before you measure a dose.

Take this medicine for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses may also increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to antibiotics. Erythromycin will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

This medication can cause unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using erythromycin.

Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.