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ERYGEL® (erythromycin topical gel) Topical Gel contains erythromycin (3R*, 4S*, 5S*,6R*,7R*, 9R*, 11R*, 12R*, 13S*, 14R*)-4-[(2,6-Dideoxy-3-C-methyl-3-O-methyl-α-L-ribo-hexopyranosyl)oxy]-14-ethyl-7,12, 13-trihydroxy-3,5,7,9,11,13-hexamethyl-6-[[3,4,6-trideoxy-3-(dimethylamino)-ß-D-xylo-hexopyranosyl] oxy] oxacy-clotetradecane-2,10-dione), for topical dermatological use. Erythromycin is a macrolide antibiotic produced from a strain of Saccaropolyspora erythraea (formerly Streptomyces erythreus). It is a base and readily forms salts with acids.

Chemically, erythromycin is C₃₇H₆₇NO₁₃. It has the following structural formula:

STRUCTURAL FORMULA

Erythromycin has a molecular weight of 733.94. It is a white or slightly yellow, odorless or practically odorless, bitter crystalline powder. Erythromycin is very soluble in very polar organic solvents such as alcohols, acetone, chloroform, acetonitrile and ethyl acetate. It is moderately soluble in less polar solvents such as ether, dichloroethyl-ene and amyl acetate. It is slightly soluble in nonpolar solvents such as hexane. It is very poorly soluble in water.

Each gram of ERYGEL® (erythromycin topical gel) Topical Gel contains 20 mg of erythromycin, USP in a base of alcohol 92% and hydroxypropyl cellulose.

Last reviewed on RxList: 9/10/2008
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.