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Erythrocin |
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What is Erythrocin and why is it prescribed? Erythrocin is an antibiotic used to treat many kinds of infections, including: Acute pelvic inflammatory disease, Gonorrhea, Intestinal parasitic infections, Legionnaires' disease, Listeriosis, Pinkeye, Rectal infections, Reproductive tract infections, Skin infections, Syphilis, Upper and lower respiratory tract infections, Urinary tract infections, and Whooping cough. Erythrocin is also prescribed to prevent rheumatic fever in people who are allergic to penicillin and sulfa drugs. It is prescribed before colorectal surgery to prevent infection. Erythrocin works best when there is a constant amount of drug in the blood. To help keep Erythrocin amount constant, it is important not to miss any doses. It is advisable to take the doses at evenly spaced times around the clock. How should you take Erythrocin? Follow your doctors directions for taking Erythrocin. Your doctor may advise you to take each dose at least 1/2 hour and preferably 2 hours before meals. Delayed release formulations may be taken with or without food. If Erythrocin upsets your stomach, taking it with meals may help. Ask your doctor whether this is advisable for you. Chewable forms of Erythrocin should be crushed or chewed before being swallowed. Delayed-release brands and tablets and capsules that are coated to slow their breakdown should be swallowed whole. Do not crush or break. If you are not sure about the form of Erythrocin you are taking, ask your pharmacist. The liquid should be shaken well before each use. If you miss a dose take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, and you take 2 doses a day, space the missed dose and the next dose 5 to 6 hours apart; if you take 3 or more doses a day, space the missed dose and the next one 2 to 4 hours apart. Never take two doses at the same time. The liquid form of Erythrocin should be kept in the refrigerator. Do not freeze. Store tablets and capsules at room temperature in a tightly closed container. Are there any Erythrocin side effects? Erythrocin side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. More common Erythrocin side effects may include abdominal pain, diarrhea, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting. Less common Erythrocin side effects may include hives, rash, skin eruptions, and yellow eyes and skin. Rare Erythrocin side effects may include hearing loss (temporary), inflammation of the large intestine, irregular heartbeat, severe allergic reaction, severe blisters in the mouth and eyes, and skin reddening. What are the possible food and drug interactions when taking Erythrocin? If Erythrocin is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. Be sure to inform your doctor of all the prescription and over the counter medications you are taking. Combining Erythrocin with lovastatin (Mevacor) can cause severe muscle wasting and damage to the kidneys. If you are taking both of these drugs, your doctor will monitor you closely for warning signs of this interaction. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Erythrocin with Benzodiazepines (such as Halcion and Versed), Blood-thinning drugs (such as Coumadin), Bromocriptine (Parlodel), Carbamazepine (Tegretol), Cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral), Digoxin (Lanoxin), Dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45), Disopyramide (Norpace), Ergotamine (Cafergot), Hexobarbital, Seizure medications (such as Depakene, Depakote, and Dilantin), Tacrolimus (Prograf), or Theophylline (Theo-Dur). Are there any special warnings about Erythrocin? If you have ever had liver disease, consult your doctor before taking Erythrocin. If a new infection develops, talk to your doctor. You may need to be treated with a different antibiotic. Erythrocin may cause a severe form of intestinal inflammation. If you develop diarrhea, contact your doctor immediately. If you have myasthenia gravis, it can be aggravated by Erythrocin. When Erythrocin is used to treat syphilis in pregnant women, it does not prevent the disease from infecting their babies. The infants should be treated after birth with penicillin. Prolonged or repeated use of Erythrocin may result in the growth of bacteria or fungi that do not respond to this medication and can cause a second infection. |
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