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Chemical Name: ERYTHROMYCIN (eh-rith-roe-MYE-sin)
This medicine is a macrolide antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections. It may also be used to prevent bacterial infections in patients with rheumatic heart disease.
Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you are also taking cisapride, eletriptan, or certain medicines for cholesterol called HMG-COA inhibitors such as lovastatin. If you are currently taking any of these medicines, contact your doctor before taking this medicine. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking colchicine, anticoagulants (such as warfarin), buspirone, cyclosporine, cilostazol, felodipine, carbamazepine, corticosteroids including methylprednisolone, dalfopristin and quinupristin, digoxin, disopyramide, ergotamine-containing medicines, sildenafil, tacrolimus, benzodiazepines (such as midazolam), rifampin, theophyllines, "triptan" medicines for migraine headaches, verapamil, vincristine, or vinblastine. Inform your doctor about any other medicines you take besides erythromycin that may affect the heart rhythm (QTc prolongation in the EKG) including dofetilide, pimozide, quinidine, sotalol, procainamide, and sparfloxacin among others. QTc prolongation can infrequently result in serious, rarely fatal, irregular heartbeats. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details. Ask for instructions about whether you need to stop any other QTc-prolonging medicines you may be using in order to minimize the risk of this effect. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about taking this medicine.
Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. SWALLOW WHOLE. Do not chew or crush before swallowing. If you have difficulty swallowing the capsule, the contents may be sprinkled on soft food, such as applesauce, jelly, or ice cream. Swallow this mixture without chewing. IF THIS MEDICINE UPSETS YOUR STOMACH, take it with food. STORE THIS MEDICINE at room temperature, away from heat and light. TO CLEAR UP YOUR INFECTION COMPLETELY, continue taking this medicine for the full course of treatment even if you feel better in a few days. Do not miss any doses. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
If your symptoms do not improve within a few days or if they become worse, check with your doctor. DO NOT TAKE SELDANE (terfenadine) OR HISMANAL (astemizole) while taking this medicine. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. Caution should be used in infants since they may be more sensitive to the effects of this drug. Though very unlikely to happen, a stomach problem called IHPS (infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis) has been noted. Contact your child's doctor immediately if the child has persistent vomiting or increased irritability. THIS MEDICINE IS EXCRETED IN BREAST MILK. IF YOU ARE OR WILL BE BREAST-FEEDING while you are using this medicine, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.
SIDE EFFECTS, that may go away during treatment, include abdominal cramping or discomfort, nausea, or diarrhea. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR if you experience vomiting, severe stomach cramping, fever, yellowing of skin or eyes, or darkening of urine. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include stomach cramping, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS MEDICINE out of the reach of children.
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