Erythrocin 500mg Tablet (Erythromycin)

Erythrocin 500mg Tablet

Erythrocin 500 MG Tablet is a macrolide antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections of the lungs, skin, bones, stomach, and intestine. It can be also used with other antibiotics to treat certain infections caused by sexually transmitted organisms like Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, etc. This medicine kills or stops the growth of bacteria causing the infection. It is not effective against infections caused by viruses.

Common side effects of Erythrocin 500 MG Tablet are diarrhoea, stomach pain, headache, changes in sense of taste, weakness, nausea, and vomiting. Use it cautiously in individuals with liver problems.

Erythrocin 500 MG Tablet should only be used to treat or prevent infections that are caused by bacteria. Once an antibiotic is started, it is always recommended to finish the entire course of treatment. You can take this tablet with or without food. For the ease of remembering, take it around the same time every day.

Substitutes

List of substitutes for Erythrocin 500 MG Tablet
Althrocin 500 MG Tablet
Alembic Ltd.
Erycin 500 MG Tablet
Cipla Ltd.
Erythro 500 MG Tablet
Cadila Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
Erythromycin (Alkem) 500 mg Tablet
Alkem Laboratories Ltd.
Etomin 500 MG Tablet
Sun Pharma Laboratories Ltd.

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Erythrocin 500 MG Tablet
Skin blistering
Chills
Diarrhoea
Fast heartbeat
Skin rash
Muscle or joint pain
Chest tightness
Stomach pain
Loss of appetite
Weight loss
Dizziness
Difficulty in breathing
Swelling of the face, lips or throat
Headache
Nausea and Vomiting
Dark urine

Uses of Erythrocin 500 MG Tablet

What is it prescribed for?
Community-Acquired Pneumonia
Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) refers to pneumonia (lung infection) that is acquired outside the hospital. CAP can be bacterial or viral. Erythrocin 500 MG Tablet is used to treat CAP caused by bacteria like Mycoplasma pneumonia, Streptococcus pneumonia, Haemophilus influenzae, etc.
Acute otitis media
Otitis media (AOM), is an infection of the middle ear (the area behind the eardrum), common in infants and young children. Erythrocin 500 MG Tablet is used to treat acute otitis media caused by bacteria. Applying a warm, moist washcloth over the infected ear can also help to reduce the swelling of the middle ear along with this medicine.
Bronchitis
Bronchitis is the swelling and irritation of bronchial tubes that regulates air passage in the lungs. Erythrocin 500 MG Tablet is used to treat bronchitis caused by bacteria.
Pertussis
Pertussis or whooping cough is a respiratory infection caused by Bordetella pertussis bacteria characterized by severe uncontrollable coughing. It can easily spread from person to person and affects people of any age. Erythrocin 500 MG Tablet is used to treat pertussis.
Prophylaxis for Rheumatic Fever
Rheumatic fever is a serious illness that can develop as a complication of strep throat or scarlet fever. It mainly affects the heart, joints, skin, brain or spinal cord. Erythrocin 500 MG Tablet is used for the prevention of rheumatic fever in patients with streptococcal infections.
Pharyngitis/Tonsilitis
Pharyngitis and tonsillitis are infections that cause swelling and soreness in the throat and tonsils. If it is the infection affects both the throat and the tonsils, then it would be called pharyngotonsillitis. Erythrocin 500 MG Tablet is used to treat pharyngitis, tonsillitis, and/or pharyngotonsillitis.
Skin and soft tissue infections
Skin and soft tissue infections occur when the bacteria invade the skin and its supporting structures. Erythrocin 500 MG Tablet is used to treat all skin infections including abscess caused by bacteria.
Syphilis
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacteria Treponema pallidum. It starts as a painless sore, blisters, or ulcers on the sexual organs, rectum, or inside the mouth. Erythrocin 500 MG Tablet is used to treat early stages of syphilis.
Stomach and intestinal infections
Bacterial gastrointestinal infections are stomach and intestinal infections caused by bacteria. Gastroenteritis is a common bacterial infection that affects the stomach and intestines. Erythrocin 500 MG Tablet is used to treat bacterial gastroenteritis.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Pelvic inflammatory disease is an infection of the female reproductive organs caused by bacteria like Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoea, etc. In this infection, the bacteria first enter the vagina and move into the pelvic organs- fallopian tubes, ovaries, cervix, and the uterus, causing infection. Erythrocin 500 MG Tablet is used to treat pelvic inflammatory disease.

Dosage

Erythrocin 250mg Tablet
Erythrocin 500mg Tablet

When not to use?

Allergy
Avoid taking Erythrocin 500 MG Tablet if you are previously allergic to it. Serious allergic reactions to this medicine are rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of allergic reactions such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulties, etc.
Liver damage
Do not use Erythrocin 500 MG Tablet in patients with a history of cholestatic jaundice (a condition of reduced bile flow from the liver to the small intestine) or impaired liver function associated with prior use of this medicine.
Statins
The combined use of Erythrocin 500 MG Tablet and statins (cholesterol medicines) such as atorvastatin, simvastatin, etc., cause serious side effects on muscles such as pain, tenderness, or weakness.

Warnings

Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Erythrocin 500 MG Tablet is generally safe in pregnancy to treat bacterial infections. It is not known to cause any harm to the fetus. However, in early pregnancy, it can increase the risk of major birth defects and therefore should only be used upon your doctor’s recommendation.
Breast-feeding
Erythrocin 500 MG Tablet is not known to be harmful in breastfeeding women. It passes into breast milk in very low levels. Hence it is acceptable for use in nursing mothers upon your doctor’s recommendation.
General warnings
Antibiotic resistance
Finish your entire course of treatment with Erythrocin 500 MG Tablet, even if the condition gets better to avoid antibiotic resistance (the bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics). If you still feel unwell after completing your antibiotic course, make an appointment to consult your doctor.
Diarrhoea
Erythrocin 500 MG Tablet can cause diarrhoea because it may also kill the helpful bacteria in your stomach or intestine. Get emergency medical help if you experience severe diarrhoea that is watery or bloody. Call your pharmacist/doctor before taking anti-diarrhoeal medication.
Allergy
Avoid taking Erythrocin 500 MG Tablet if you have a known allergy to it or other macrolides. Seek immediate medical attention if the patient experiences any allergic symptoms like rashes, itching, nausea, vomiting, swelling of lips, hands, and feet.

Dosage

Missed Dose
Try not to skip a dose of Erythrocin 500 MG Tablet. And if a dose is skipped, do not add it up to the next dose.
Overdose
Seek medical emergency in case of an Erythrocin 500 MG Tablet overdose.

Interactions

All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Clonazepam
Amiodarone
Pimozide
Ethinyl Estradiol
Alprazolam
Verapamil
Clobazam
Atorvastatin
Ceritinib
Ketoconazole
Disease interactions
Impaired liver function
Patients with liver diseases need special consideration while taking Erythrocin 500 MG Tablet due to the risk of liver damage. Dose adjustment should be done based on the clinical condition.
QT Prolongation
Erythrocin 500 MG Tablet may cause heart rhythm problem called prolonged QT intervals (an electrical heartbeat disturbance) in some patients who are taking heart medications. It may result in fast, rapid, and irregular heartbeats.
Myasthenia Gravis
Myasthenia gravis is a skeletal muscle weakness condition characterized by severe weakness of any of the muscles under your voluntary control, including the arms and legs. Use Erythrocin 500 MG Tablet with extreme caution in patients with myasthenia gravis since it may get worsen.
Food interactions
Take Erythrocin 500 MG Tablet at least 30 minutes before or 2 hours after meals because food may alter the desired effect of the medicine. Taking grapefruit juice during treatment with Erythrocin 500 MG Tablet is not advised.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
This is not an exhaustive list of possible drug interactions. You should consult your doctor about all the possible interactions of the drugs you’re taking.

General Instructions

Take Erythrocin 500 MG Tablet as instructed by the doctor. Never take more than the prescribed dose. For the ease of remembering, take this tablet around the same time every day. Do not give your medicine to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.