What is this medicine?
ERYTHROMYCIN (er ith roe MYE sin) is a macrolide antibiotic. It is used to treat certain kinds of bacterial infections. It will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
• dark urine
• difficulty breathing
• hearing loss
• irregular heartbeat or chest pain
• redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
• severe or watery diarrhea
• unusually weak or tired
• yellowing of eyes or skin

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• diarrhea
• loss of appetite
• nausea, vomiting
• stomach pain

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

How should I use this medicine?
Take this medicine by mouth with glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take this medicine on an empty stomach, at least 30 minutes before or 2 hours after food. If this medicine upsets your stomach, take with food or milk. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not skip doses or stop your medicine early even if you feel better. Do not stop taking except on your doctor's advice.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medicine?
Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

• chloroquine
• cisapride
• droperidol
• eplerenone
• ergotamine and dihydroergotamine
• methadone
• other antibiotics, like grepafloxacin or sparfloxacin
• sirolimus
• some medicines for cholesterol like atorvastatin, cerivastatin, lovastatin, and simvastatin
• some medicines for heart rhythm problems
• some medicines for psychotic disturbances
• vinblastine
• red yeast rice

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• alfentanil
• bromocriptine
• carbamazepine
• cyclosporine
• digoxin
• some medicines for anxiety or difficulty sleeping
• phenytoin
• terfenadine
• theophylline
• valproate
• warfarin

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

Who should NOT use this medication?

• Hypersensitivity to erythromycins.
• Concomitant use with certain drugs highly dependent on CYP3A for metabolism and for which elevated plasma concentrations are associated with serious and/or life-threatening events (e.g., astemizole, cisapride, pimozide, terfenadine). (See Specific Drugs under Interactions.)
• Erythromycin estolate in patients with hepatic dysfunction or preexisting liver disease.
• Fixed combination of erythromycin ethylsuccinate and sulfisoxazole acetyl in patients hypersensitive to either component.

What should I watch for while using this medicine?
Tell your doctor or health care professional if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.

Do not treat diarrhea with over the counter products. Contact your doctor if you have diarrhea that lasts more than 2 days or if it is severe and watery.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• liver disease
• myasthenia gravis
• an unusual or allergic reaction to erythromycin, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
If you have been diagnosed with a disease for which an antibiotic is needed, you must complete the prescribed course of treatment. Even if you start to feel better, do not skip any doses and remember to take the medication until it is all gone.

I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.