erythromycin
Erythromycin eye ointment is used to treat and prevent various bacterial eye infections, including pink eye in newborns. The typical dosage for this medication is to apply it in the affected eye(s) up to 6 times a day. Most people experience few to no side effects while using erythromycin eye ointment as directed.
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What is Erythromycin eye ointment?
What is Erythromycin eye ointment used for?
Bacterial eye infection
To prevent pink eye (conjunctivitis) in newborns who might be exposed to certain sexually-transmitted infections (STIs) from their mothers during birth
How Erythromycin eye ointment works
Erythromycin eye ointment is a macrolide antibiotic. It stops the growth of bacteria by preventing them from making proteins that they need to survive.
Drug Facts
What are the side effects of Erythromycin eye ointment?
Common Side Effects
- Mild eye irritations
- Eye redness
Serious Side Effects
- Severe allergic reaction: swollen eyelids, redness, itching, rash, shortness of breath
Source: DailyMed
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 as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
Rare
Eye irritation not present before therapy
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 eye ointment
Pros
Available as a lower-cost generic medication
Applied directly where the infection is (in the eye)
Can use in newborns
Generally well-tolerated with mild side effects
Cons
Might need to be used up to 6 times a day
Only treats some bacterial eye infections; it doesn't treat fungal or viral infections
Harder to apply than eye drops
Can temporarily cause blurry vision after application
Pharmacist tips for Erythromycin eye ointment
Make sure to follow your provider's instruction before using erythromycin eye ointment for yourself or for your child. Doing so can help you use this medication safely.
Use erythromycin eye ointment as directed by your provider. Don't stop using it before you complete treatment, even if you feel better. If you stop using erythromycin eye ointment too soon, your infection might come back or become harder to treat.
Don't let the tip of the tube touch the eye, eyelid, fingers, or other surfaces. Doing so can contaminate the medication and cause serious harm to the eye, such as infection and vision loss.
Don't use erythromycin eye ointment while wearing contact lenses. Putting the medication on top of your contact lenses might cause your lenses to move, or it might coat your lenses and make your vision blurry. In general, it's best not to wear contact lenses if you have an eye infection to prevent your infection from getting worse or your eye from getting even more irritated. Your provider will let you know when it's safe to wear contacts again.
To prevent new or worsening bacterial eye infections, wash your hands with soap and water often, as well as before and after using erythromycin eye ointment.
Don't touch your eyes after you come into contact with someone with an infection without washing your hands first. Also don't share personal items, like pillows, towels, and eye drops, with them. Throw away and replace any eye or face makeup products and disposable contact lenses you used while your eyes were infected.
Talk with your provider if your eye inflammation gets worse after starting erythromycin eye ointment. Your provider can check your eyes to make sure the medication is working and isn't causing side effects.
Erythromycin eye ointment can temporarily blur your vision. Don't drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects your vision and until you can see clearly.
If erythromycin eye ointment is being used in a newborn to prevent pink eye due to STIs, your newborn will most likely receive this medication at the hospital. Don't wipe off the medication from your baby's eyes after application. This can cause the medication to not be fully absorbed.
Frequently asked questions about Erythromycin eye ointment
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What are the risks and warnings for Erythromycin eye ointment?
Erythromycin eye ointment 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.
Only use on eye surface
Erythromycin eye ointment should only be used on the surface of the eye. Don't put erythromycin eye ointment in your mouth, nose, or other parts of your body.
New or worsened eye infections
Risk factors: Using erythromycin eye ointment longer than prescribed
Using erythromycin eye ointment long-term can raise the risk of other eye infections, such as fungal eye infections. Don't use erythromycin eye ointment if you have a viral eye infection because it can make your infection worse. Let your provider know if you have eye pain or redness, blurry vision, light sensitivity, or watery discharge from your eye, or if your symptoms don't improve after a couple days of treatment. These can be signs and symptoms of a new eye infection.
Allergic reaction to antibiotics
Tell your provider before using erythromycin eye ointment if you've a history of allergy to antibiotics, such as clarithromycin (Biaxin) or azithromycin (Zithromax). Watch out for signs and symptoms of allergic reactions, such as swollen eyelids or red or itchy eyes. Stop using erythromycin eye ointment and tell your provider if you have these signs and symptoms.
Erythromycin eye ointment dosage forms
Typical dosing for Erythromycin eye ointment
Treatment of eye infection: The typical dose is to put 1 centimeter of ointment in the affected eye(s) up to 6 times a day, depending on how serious the infection is.
Prevention of pink eye in newborns: The typical dose is to put 1 cm (0.4 inch) of ointment in both eyes one time only.
Interactions between Erythromycin eye ointment and other drugs
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.
How much does Erythromycin eye ointment cost?
What are alternatives to Erythromycin eye ointment?
Bacterial eye infection
To prevent pink eye (conjunctivitis) in newborns who might be exposed to certain sexually-transmitted infections (STIs) from their mothers during birth
Mild-to-moderate infections on the eye and eyelid
What is the latest news about Erythromycin eye ointment?
Erythromycin eye ointment images
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References
Best studies we foundBausch and Lomb Incorporated. (2023). Erythromycin ointment [package insert]. DailyMed.
Boyd, K., et al. (2023). What is the difference between a stye and a chalazion? Causes, symptoms, treatment. American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Conjunctivitis (pink eye) - For clinicians.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019). Conjunctivitis (pink eye) in newborns.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019). Symptoms.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019). Treatment.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Symptoms of fungal eye infections.
Farzam, K., et al. (2022). Erythromycin. StatPearls.
HealthyChildren.org. (2013). How to give eye drops and eye ointment.
Medline Plus. (2017). Erythromycin ophthalmic.
Ochoa, K. J. C., et al. (2023). Ophthalmia neonatorum. StatPearls.
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