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erythromycin
Used for Acne, Amoebiasis, Bacterial Infection, Eye Infection, Lower Respiratory Infection, Pneumonia, Skin Infection, Upper Respiratory Infection, Urinary Tract Infection
Used for Acne, Amoebiasis, Bacterial Infection, Eye Infection, Lower Respiratory Infection, Pneumonia, Skin Infection, Upper Respiratory Infection, Urinary Tract Infection
Erythromycin eye ointment is a macrolide antibiotic used to treat certain bacterial eye infections. It also helps prevent a serious eye infection in newborn babies. The medication is applied up to 6 times a day to treat an infection or given once shortly after birth to prevent pink eye. Common side effects include mild eye irritation and redness.
What is Erythromycin eye ointment?
What is Erythromycin eye ointment used for?
- To treat bacterial eye infections
- To prevent pink eye in newborn babies
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.
When does Erythromycin eye ointment start working?Time passed since treatment started:
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Ilotycin |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Macrolide antibiotic |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | Lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
Side effects of Erythromycin eye ointment
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Mild eye irritation
- Eye redness
Erythromycin eye ointment serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Severe allergic reaction: swollen eyelids, redness, itching, rash, shortness of breath
When do Erythromycin eye ointment possible side effects begin and end?
Time passed since treatment started:
M
H
D
W
M
Mild eye irritations
Eye redness
The following Erythromycin eye ointment 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
- Treats certain bacterial eye infections
- Applied directly to the eye
- Safe for use in newborns
Cons
- Might need to be used up to 6 times a day
- Doesn't treat viral or fungal infections
- Can temporarily blur your vision
Pharmacist tips for Erythromycin eye ointment
General tips
- Use erythromycin eye ointment exactly as prescribed. Don't stop using it before you finish treatment, even if your symptoms improve. Stopping too early can cause your infection to come back or become harder to treat.
- Don't let the tip of the erythromycin eye ointment tube touch your eye, eyelid, fingers, or other surfaces. This can spread germs into the ointment and cause serious harm to the eye.
- Don't wear contact lenses while using erythromycin eye ointment. The ointment can coat your lenses and cause blurry vision, and wearing contacts during an eye infection can make irritation worse. Ask your care team when it's safe to wear contacts again.
- Erythromycin eye ointment can temporarily cause blurry vision after you apply it. Avoid driving or using machinery until you can see clearly again.
- Don't share your erythromycin eye ointment tube with anyone else. Sharing eye medications can spread infections.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: There isn't enough information to know whether erythromycin eye ointment is safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Talk to your prescriber if you're pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
- Storage: Keep erythromycin eye ointment at room temperature, away from excessive heat. Keep the cap tightly closed when you're not using it.
How to apply erythromycin eye ointment
- Follow your prescriber's instructions before applying the ointment for yourself or for your child.
- Prepare: Wash your hands with soap and water before applying. Tilt your head back slightly and gently pull down your lower eyelid to make a small pocket.
- Apply: Hold the tube above your eye and squeeze a thin strip of ointment into the pocket as directed. Avoid touching the tube tip to your eye or surrounding skin.
- After applying: Gently close your eye for 1 to 2 minutes to help spread the medication. Wipe away any extra ointment with a clean tissue and wash your hands again.
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.
New or worsening infections
- Risk factors: Using erythromycin eye ointment for a long time
Using erythromycin eye ointment, especially for a long time, can sometimes allow other germs, including fungi, to grow and cause a new infection. Tell your care team if your eye symptoms get worse or don't improve during treatment. They might recommend stopping the medication and starting a different treatment.
Allergic reaction
Erythromycin eye ointment can cause an allergic reaction. Symptoms can include redness, itching, swelling, or a rash. Stop using the medication and contact your prescriber if you develop signs of an allergy. Get emergency medical help for trouble breathing or swelling of your face or throat.
Erythromycin eye ointment dosage
The average cost for 1 tube of 3.5g of 0.5% of Erythromycin eye ointment is $11.79 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 1.75% off the average retail price of $12.00.
Interactions between Erythromycin eye ointment and other drugs
Erythromycin eye ointment may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Erythromycin eye ointment. Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
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?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
What are alternatives to Erythromycin eye ointment?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Erythromycin eye ointment. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
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