Home>drugs by ailments>Bacterial infections>erythromycin

Erythromycin

Information about Erythromycin

Erythromycin Uses

Erythromycin is used in the treatment of bacterial infections. It is used in infections of tonsils, sinus, ear, nose, throat, skin and soft tissues.

How Erythromycin works

Erythromycin is an antibiotic. It works by preventing synthesis of essential proteins required by bacteria to carry out vital functions. Thus, it stops the bacteria from growing, and prevents the infection from spreading.

Common side effects of Erythromycin

Nausea, Vomiting, Abdominal pain, Diarrhea

CONTENT DETAILS

Written By

Dr. Anuj Saini

MMST, MBBS

Reviewed By

Dr. Varun Gupta

MD (Pharmacology), MBBS

Last updated

23 Aug 2021 | 08:39 PM (UTC)

We provide you with authentic, trustworthy and revelant information

Want to know more

Available Medicine for Erythromycin

Expert advice for Erythromycin

Your doctor has prescribed Erythromycin to cure your infection and improve your symptoms.
Do not skip any doses and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better. Stopping it early may make the infection to come back and harder to treat.
Take it 1 hour before or two hours after food.
Do not take antacids 2 hours before or after taking Erythromycin.
Diarrhea may occur as a side effect but should stop when your course is complete. Inform your doctor if it doesn't stop or if you find blood in your stools.
Stop taking Erythromycin and inform your doctor immediately if you develop an itchy rash, swelling of the face, throat or tongue or breathing difficulties while taking it.

Frequently asked questions for Erythromycin

Erythromycin

Q. Can the use of Erythromycin cause diarrhea?

Yes, the use of Erythromycin can cause diarrhea. It is an antibiotic which kills the harmful bacteria. However, it also affects the helpful bacteria in your stomach or intestine and causes diarrhea. If you are experiencing severe diarrhea, talk to your doctor about it.

Q. How long does Erythromycin takes to work?

Usually, Erythromycin starts working soon after taking it. However, it may take some days to kill all the harmful bacteria and make you feel better.

Q. What if I don't get better after using Erythromycin?

Inform your doctor if you don't feel better after finishing the full course of treatment. Also, inform him if your symptoms are getting worse while using this medicine.

Q. Can I stop taking Erythromycin when my symptoms are relieved?

No, do not stop taking Erythromycin and complete the full course of treatment even if you feel better. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cured.

Q. Can the use of Erythromycin cause infertility?

There is no firm evidence to suggest that the use of Erythromycin will cause infertility in males or females.