Ery-Tab
Erythromycin is an antibiotic that's used to treat a variety of infections caused by bacteria, including certain skin and respiratory infections. The dosage depends on the specific infection you're using it for. The most common side effects are related to the stomach, like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Erythromycin comes in two forms that are taken by mouth: oral tablets and an oral suspension.
What is Erythromycin?
What is Erythromycin used for?
Respiratory infections (including upper respiratory tract infection and lower respiratory tract infection)
Listeria infection
Diphtheria infection
Intestinal amebiasis
Sexually-transmitted infections, STIs (e.g., chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis)
Prevention of rheumatic fever
How Erythromycin works
Erythromycin belongs to a group of antibiotics called macrolide antibiotics. It treats your infection by preventing the bacteria from making important proteins they need to survive.
Drug Facts
More on Erythromycin essentials
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What are the side effects of Erythromycin?
Common Side Effects
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhea
- Anorexia
Other Side Effects
- Rash
- Hives
- Hearing loss
Serious Side Effects
- Liver damage: fever, chills, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, itching, clay-colored stool, and dark urine
- Abnormal heart rhythm: Feeling like your heart is pounding out of your chest, feeling like you are about to faint, dizziness
- Clostridioides difficile (C. diff)-associated diarrhea (CDAD): watery or bloody diarrhea, stomach pain, vomiting, fever, nausea
- Serious allergic and skin reaction: fever, rash, body aches, itching, trouble breathing, peeling skin, painful blisters all over your body
Source: DailyMed
More on Erythromycin side effects
The following side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Rare
Blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
chills
difficulty with swallowing
dizziness
fast heartbeat
hives or welts, skin rash
joint or muscle pain
puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
red, irritated eyes
red skin lesions, often with a purple center
redness of the skin
sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
tightness in the chest
unusual tiredness or weakness
Incidence not known
bloody or cloudy urine
chest pain or discomfort
dark urine
diarrhea, watery and severe, which may also be bloody
fainting
general tiredness and weakness
greatly decreased frequency of urination or amount of urine
hearing loss
increased thirst
irregular heartbeat recurrent
irregular or slow heart rate
light-colored stools
stomach cramp or tenderness
swelling of the feet or lower legs
unusual weight loss
upper right abdominal or stomach pain
vomiting
yellow eyes and skin
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Pros and cons of Erythromycin
Pros
Treats many types of infections
Available as a lower-cost generic
EES is available as an oral tablet or oral suspension
Cons
Commonly causes nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach upset
Interacts with many medications
Has to be taken multiple times a day
Pharmacist tips for Erythromycin
Erythromycin is best taken on an empty stomach (30 minutes before or 2 hours after a meal), but not everyone can tolerate taking it this way. If you have a lot of stomach-related side effects, like nausea or vomiting, taking your dose with food can help lessen them.
Erythromycin ethylsuccinate (EES) oral suspension and tablets can be taken with or without meals because food doesn't affect how your body absorbs the medication.
Erythromycin should only be used to treat infections caused by bacteria. It doesn't treat infections caused by viruses like the common cold or the flu.
Finish all of the erythromycin your healthcare provider prescribed for you, even if you start to feel better. Stopping the medication too soon can cause your infection to come back and become harder to treat.
Diarrhea is a common side effect of erythromycin, and it usually goes away after you stop treatment. Let your healthcare provider know right away if you have watery and bloody stools, with or without stomach cramps and fever, because this might lead to other serious problems.
Erythromycin interacts with several medications, such as digoxin (Lanoxin), colchicine (Colcrys), and a group of cholesterol medications called statins. Let your healthcare provider and pharmacist know about all the medications you're taking, including ones that are available over the counter, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
If you are taking erythromycin for an STI, make sure your sexual partner(s) also get treated. If they don't, they could reinfect you. Most states allow you to ask your healthcare provider for a prescription for your partner(s) without them present. This is called expedited partner therapy. Ask your healthcare provider if this is an option where you live.
Frequently asked questions about Erythromycin
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What are the risks and warnings for Erythromycin?
Erythromycin can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Liver damage
Risk factors: History of liver problems
erythromycin can cause severe or life-threatening liver damage. Your risk is higher if you have or have had liver problems. If you experience unexplained stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, dark urine, pale stools, or yellowing of your skin or eyes, contact your healthcare provider right away. Blood tests will need to be done to check that your liver is healthy.
Life-threatening changes in your heart rhythm (QT prolongation)
Risk factors: History of QT prolongation | History of irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmias) | Current slow heart rate | History of low potassium or magnesium in the blood | Taking other medications that affect your heart rhythm | Age 65 or older
Rarely, erythromycin can cause a serious heart rhythm problem called QT prolongation. This can cause your heart to stop and lead to death. Those with certain heart conditions and those older than age 65 have a higher risk of this problem. You shouldn't take erythromycin if you also use other medications that also cause QT prolongation. Before taking this medication, let your healthcare provider know about any heart conditions you have and provide a list of all the medications you're taking, including over-the-counter items, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Syphilis in infants
Risk factors: Women who were treated for syphilis while pregnant
Using erythromycin to treat syphilis during pregnancy might not completely prevent the baby from getting infected with syphilis when born. That's because the medication might not reach the baby effectively. Be sure to let your healthcare provider and your child's healthcare provider know if you took erythromycin for syphilis while you were pregnant. Your baby will need to take antibiotics after they are born.
Severe diarrhea
Risk factors: Use of multiple antibiotics | Long-term use of antibiotics | Age 65 or older | Recent hospital stay | People with weakened immune systems
Like all antibiotics, erythromycin can put you at a higher risk for getting Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) associated diarrhea (CDAD), a life-threatening side effect. Like many other bacteria, C. diff naturally lives in your gut. These bacteria normally don’t cause any problems. But taking erythromycin or other antibiotics can cause certain bacteria to grow out of control. When C. diff grows out of control, it can cause fatal diarrhea due to dehydration and swelling of the colon. Stop erythromycin and contact your healthcare provider right away if you experience bloody or watery stool, as this might be a sign of CDAD.
Interactions with other medications
Erythromycin is known to interact with many medications, some of which can be life-threatening. To avoid problems with your heart rhythm, don't take erythromycin with other medications that also affect the heart rhythm.
Taking Erythromycin with certain medications can cause the body to absorb too much of these medications, raising the risk for side effects. For example, if erythromycin is taken with colchicine (Colcrys), it can lead to a dangerous condition called colchicine-related toxicity. In addition, erythromycin shouldn't be taken with certain statins, such as lovastatin or simvastatin (Zocor), because it raises the risk of serious muscle damage.
Make sure to tell both your healthcare provider and your pharmacist about all medications and over-the-counter products you are taking before you start erythromycin, even if you only take them once in a while or as needed. Your dose might even need to be adjusted to avoid these interactions.
Worsening of myasthenia gravis
Risk factors: History of myasthenia gravis
If you have myasthenia gravis, taking erythromycin can worsen symptoms like muscle weakness and difficulty breathing. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are concerned about this problem.
Intestinal blockage in babies
Risk factors: Infants taking erythromycin for a long time
Infants have developed a blockage between their stomach and small intestine after taking erythromycin. Infants are at higher risk of developing this problem the longer they take this medication. Typically, this medication isn't used for infants unless it's for a life-threatening illness. If a healthcare provider does prescribe erythromycin for your infant, watch for vomiting or fussiness while eating. and contact your child's healthcare provider right away.
Erythromycin dosage forms
Typical dosing for Erythromycin
Erythromycin tablets:
Adults: The typical dose is 250 mg by mouth 4 times a day OR 500 mg by mouth every 12 hours. The maximum dose is 4,000 mg a day.
Children: The typical dose is 30 to 50 mg/kg by mouth a day. This dose should be split up into smaller doses and given either 2 or 4 times a day. The maximum dose is 4,000 mg a day.
Erythromycin ethylsuccinate (EES) (tablets or suspension):
Adults: The typical dose is 400 mg by mouth every 6 hours. The total dose can be adjusted to be taken 2 or 3 times a day. The maximum dose is 4,000 mg a day.
Children: The typical dose is 30 to 50 mg/kg by mouth per day. This dose should be split up into smaller doses and given either 2 or 4 times a day.
The dose and duration can be different depending on the specific type of infection.
Interactions between Erythromycin and other drugs
More on Erythromycin interactions
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Astemizole
- Bepridil
- Cisapride
- Colchicine
- Dihydroergotamine
- Dronedarone
- Eliglustat
- Ergoloid Mesylates
- Ergonovine
- Ergotamine
- Flibanserin
- Fluconazole
- Grepafloxacin
- Levomethadyl
- Lomitapide
- Lovastatin
- Mesoridazine
- Methylergonovine
- Methysergide
- Pimozide
- Piperaquine
- Posaconazole
- Saquinavir
- Simvastatin
- Sparfloxacin
- Terfenadine
- Thioridazine
- Ziprasidone
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Abametapir
- Acalabrutinib
- Acecainide
- Afatinib
- Ajmaline
- Alfentanil
- Alprazolam
- Amiodarone
- Amisulpride
- Amitriptyline
- Amoxapine
- Anagrelide
- Apomorphine
- Aprepitant
- Aprindine
- Aripiprazole
- Aripiprazole Lauroxil
- Arsenic Trioxide
- Ascorbic Acid
- Asenapine
- Atorvastatin
- Avapritinib
- Azimilide
- Azithromycin
- Bedaquiline
- Benzhydrocodone
- Berotralstat
- Betrixaban
- Bosutinib
- Bretylium
- Brexpiprazole
- Brigatinib
- Buprenorphine
- Buserelin
- Carbamazepine
- Ceritinib
- Cerivastatin
- Chloral Hydrate
- Chloroquine
- Chlorpromazine
- Cholera Vaccine, Live
- Cilostazol
- Ciprofloxacin
- Citalopram
- Clarithromycin
- Clindamycin
- Clofazimine
- Clomipramine
- Clozapine
- Cobicistat
- Cobimetinib
- Codeine
- Conivaptan
- Crizotinib
- Cyclobenzaprine
- Dabigatran Etexilate
- Dabrafenib
- Darunavir
- Dasatinib
- Deflazacort
- Degarelix
- Delamanid
- Desipramine
- Deslorelin
- Deutetrabenazine
- Dibenzepin
- Digoxin
- Dihydrocodeine
- Diltiazem
- Disopyramide
- Dofetilide
- Dolasetron
- Domperidone
- Donepezil
- Doxepin
- Doxorubicin
- Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Liposome
- Droperidol
- Edoxaban
- Efavirenz
- Elexacaftor
- Encainide
- Encorafenib
- Enflurane
- Entrectinib
- Eplerenone
- Escitalopram
- Fentanyl
- Fingolimod
- Flecainide
- Fluoxetine
- Formoterol
- Fosaprepitant
- Foscarnet
- Fosnetupitant
- Fostemsavir
- Gatifloxacin
- Gemifloxacin
- Glasdegib
- Gonadorelin
- Goserelin
- Granisetron
- Halofantrine
- Haloperidol
- Halothane
- Histrelin
- Hydrocodone
- Hydroquinidine
- Hydroxychloroquine
- Hydroxyzine
- Ibrutinib
- Ibutilide
- Ifosfamide
- Iloperidone
- Imipramine
- Inotuzumab Ozogamicin
- Isoflurane
- Isradipine
- Ivabradine
- Ivacaftor
- Ivosidenib
- Ketoconazole
- Lapatinib
- Lefamulin
- Lemborexant
- Lenvatinib
- Levofloxacin
- Lidoflazine
- Lofexidine
- Lopinavir
- Lorcainide
- Lumacaftor
- Lumateperone
- Lumefantrine
- Lurasidone
- Lurbinectedin
- Macimorelin
- Mefloquine
- Meperidine
- Methadone
- Metronidazole
- Mifepristone
- Mirtazapine
- Morphine
- Morphine Sulfate Liposome
- Moxifloxacin
- Nafarelin
- Naloxegol
- Neratinib
- Netupitant
- Nilotinib
- Norfloxacin
- Nortriptyline
- Octreotide
- Ofloxacin
- Olaparib
- Ondansetron
- Osilodrostat
- Osimertinib
- Oxaliplatin
- Oxycodone
- Ozanimod
- Paliperidone
- Panobinostat
- Pasireotide
- Pazopanib
- Pemigatinib
- Pentamidine
- Pentazocine
- Pexidartinib
- Pimavanserin
- Pirmenol
- Pitavastatin
- Pitolisant
- Pixantrone
- Ponesimod
- Prajmaline
- Probucol
- Procainamide
- Prochlorperazine
- Promethazine
- Propafenone
- Protriptyline
- Quetiapine
- Quinidine
- Quinine
- Ranolazine
- Relugolix
- Ribociclib
- Rimegepant
- Risperidone
- Selpercatinib
- Selumetinib
- Sematilide
- Sertindole
- Sertraline
- Sevoflurane
- Simeprevir
- Siponimod
- Sodium Phosphate
- Sodium Phosphate, Dibasic
- Sodium Phosphate, Monobasic
- Solifenacin
- Sonidegib
- Sorafenib
- Sotalol
- Spiramycin
- Sufentanil
- Sulfamethoxazole
- Sulpiride
- Sultopride
- Sunitinib
- Tacrolimus
- Tadalafil
- Tazemetostat
- Tedisamil
- Telaprevir
- Telavancin
- Telithromycin
- Tetrabenazine
- Tezacaftor
- Theophylline
- Tolvaptan
- Toremifene
- Tramadol
- Trazodone
- Triclabendazole
- Trifluoperazine
- Trimethoprim
- Trimipramine
- Triptorelin
- Troleandomycin
- Ubrogepant
- Vandetanib
- Vardenafil
- Vemurafenib
- Venetoclax
- Verapamil
- Vinblastine
- Vincristine
- Vincristine Sulfate Liposome
- Vinflunine
- Voclosporin
- Voriconazole
- Warfarin
- Zanubrutinib
- Zolmitriptan
- Zotepine
- Zuclopenthixol
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Anisindione
- Apixaban
- Avanafil
- Bexarotene
- Budesonide
- Buspirone
- Cyclosporine
- Diazepam
- Dicumarol
- Methylprednisolone
- Midazolam
- Phenprocoumon
- Rivaroxaban
- Roflumilast
- Sildenafil
- Sirolimus
- Suvorexant
- Tolterodine
- Triazolam
- Trimetrexate
- Valproic Acid
- Zafirlukast
How much does Erythromycin cost?
Erythromycin contraindications
Taking terfenadine, astemizole, pimozide, cisapride, ergotamine, or dihydroergotamine
Taking lovastatin or simvastatin (Zocor)
What are alternatives to Erythromycin?
Respiratory infections (including upper respiratory tract infection and lower respiratory tract infection)
Listeria infection
Diphtheria infection
Intestinal amebiasis
Sexually-transmitted infections, STIs (e.g., chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis)
Prevention of rheumatic fever
Respiratory tract infections, including in the nose, throat, and lungs
Infections caused by ticks, mites, or fleas (Rocky Mountain spotted fever or typhus fever)
Sexually-transmitted infections (STIs) like chlamydia, gonorrhea, chancroid, and syphilis
Lyme disease
Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
Severe acne
Anthrax
Plague
Cholera
Sudden worsening of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) from a bacterial infection
Skin infections (e.g., cellulitis)
Urethra or cervix infections
Ear infections (ages 6 months and older)
Pneumonia (ages 6 months and older)
Strep throat (ages 2 years and older)
Tonsil infections (ages 2 years and older)
What is the latest news about Erythromycin?
Erythromycin images
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References
Best studies we foundAl-akchar, M., et al. (2022). Long QT syndrome. StatPearls.
Amneal Pharmaceuticals NY LLC. (2023). Erythromycin ethylsuccinate- erythromycin suspension [package insert]. DailyMed.
Azurity Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (2023). Erythromycin ethylsuccinate tablet [package insert]. DailyMed.
California Poison Control System. (n.d.). News.
Camilleri, M., et al. (2022). ACG clinical guideline: Gastroparesis. The American Journal of Gastroenterology.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Diphtheria.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). About Rheumatic Fever.
Macklin, J., et al. (1989). Comparison of two oral forms of erythromycin in the treatment of acute respiratory tract infections. A multicentre general practice study. The Journal of International Medical Research.
Organization of Teratology Information Specialists. (2022). Erythromycin. Mother To Baby | Fact Sheets.
Yakatan, G. J., et al. (1985). Bioinequivalence of erythromycin ethylsuccinate and enteric-coated erythromycin pellets following multiple oral doses. Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.
Zydus Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. (2024). ERYTHROMYCIN tablet, film coated [package insert]. DailyMed.
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