Erythromycin

Product Description

According to the spectrum of antimicrobial action erythromycin is an antibiotic, close to penicillins. It is active against gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms. It also acts on a number of gram-positive bacteria, like brucella, rickettsia, causative agents of trachoma and syphilis. It has little or no effect on most gram-negative bacteria, mycobacteria, small and medium viruses, fungi. Erythromycin is tolerated by patients better than singingillines, and can be used by those who is allergic to penicillins.

Safety information

Erythromycin is indicated:

as a treatment of pneumonia, pneumoplethritis, bronchiectatic disease on the acute stage and other infectious diseases of the lungs caused by antibiotic-sensitive microorganisms;

in case of septic conditions, erysipelas, mastitis, osteomyelitis, peritonitis, purulent otitis and other purulent inflammatory processes;

it is also prescribed for patients with syphilis and with intolerance to antibiotics of the penicillin group;

locally, as a treatment for pustular lesions of the skin, infected wounds, bedsores, etc., as well as conjunctivitis, blepharitis, trachoma.

Erythromycin is not prescribed in case of meningitis, as it does not penetrate through the blood-brain barrier.

Mode of application

Prior to the appointment of a patient to the drug, it is desirable to determine the sensitivity to it of the microflora that caused the exact disease in patient. For oral administration, erythromycin is prescribed in the form of tablets or capsules. A single dose for an adult is 0.25 g, in case of serious diseases - 0.5 g. It is taken every 4 - 6 hours, an hour or hour and a half before meals. The maximum single dose for adults is 0.5 g orally, and daily - 2 g. Children under 14 years take 20-40 mg per 1 kg of their weight, children over 14 years - take the same dose as adults.

Contraindications

The drug is contraindicated to patients with individual hypersensitivity to it and with severe failure of liver function. The drug should be administered with caution by patients who use to have any type of allergic reaction.

Side effects

The likelihood of side effects during the treatment by erythromycin are relatively rare, still among reported reactions there are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. In case of prolonged usage, there may be disorder of the liver function (jaundice). In some cases, there may occur an increased sensitivity to the drug accompanied by allergic reactions. In case of prolonged treatment by erythromycin, some microorganisms may become resistant to the drug.