Erythromycins (Systemic)
Proper Use of This MedicineGenerally,
erythromycins are best taken with a full glass (8 ounces) of water on an empty
stomach (at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals). If stomach upset
occurs, these medicines may be taken with food. If you have questions about
the erythromycin medicine you are taking, check with your health care professional.
For patients taking the oral liquid form
of
this medicine:
-
This medicine is to be taken by mouth even if it comes in a dropper
bottle. If this medicine does not come in a dropper bottle, use a specially
marked measuring spoon or other device to measure each dose accurately. The
average household teaspoon may not hold the right amount of liquid.
-
Do not use after the expiration date on the label. The medicine may
not work properly after that date. Check with your pharmacist if you have
any questions about this.
For patients taking the chewable tablet form
of this medicine:
-
Tablets must be chewed or crushed before they are swallowed.
For patients taking the delayed-release capsule form
(with enteric-coated pellets) or the delayed-release tablet form
of
this medicine:
-
Swallow capsules or tablets whole. Do not break or crush. If you
are not sure about which type of capsule or tablet you are taking, check with
your pharmacist.
To help clear up your infection completely, keep taking
this medicine for the full time of treatment
, even if you begin to
feel better after a few days. If you have a ''strep''
infection, you should keep taking this medicine for at least 10 days. This
is especially important in ''strep'" infections. Serious heart problems could
develop later
if your infection is not cleared up completely. Also,
if you stop taking this medicine too soon, your symptoms may return.
This medicine works best when there is a constant amount in the blood.
To help keep the amount constant, do not miss any doses.
Also, it is best to take the doses at evenly spaced times day and night
.
For example, if you are to take 4 doses a day, the doses should be spaced
about 6 hours apart. If this interferes with your sleep or other daily activities,
or if you need help in planning the best times to take your medicine, check
with your health care professional.
Dosing - The dose of erythromycin will be different
for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or
the directions on the label
. The following information includes only
the average doses of erythromycin. If your dose is different,
do not change it
unless your doctor tells you to do so. The number of capsules or tablets or teaspoonfuls of suspension that you
take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and
the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for
which you are taking erythromycin
.
For erythromycin base
-
For oral
dosage forms (capsules, tablets):
-
For treatment of infections:
-
Adults and teenagers - 250 to 500 milligrams (mg) two to four
times a day.
-
Children - Dose is based on body weight. The usual dose is 7.5
to 12.5 mg per kilogram (kg) (3.4 to 5.6 mg per pound) of body weight four
times a day, or 15 to 25 mg per kg (6.8 to 11.4 mg per pound) of body weight
two times a day.
-
For prevention of heart infections:
-
Adults and teenagers - Take 1 gram two hours before your dental
appointment or surgery, then 500 mg six hours after taking the first dose.
-
Children - Dose is based on body weight. The usual dose is 20
mg per kg (9.1 mg per pound) of body weight two hours before the dental appointment
or surgery, then 10 mg per kg (4.5 mg per pound) of body weight six hours
after taking the first dose.
For erythromycin estolate
-
For oral
dosage forms (capsules, oral
suspension, tablets):
-
For treatment of infections:
-
Adults and teenagers - 250 to 500 milligrams (mg) two to four
times a day.
-
Children - Dose is based on body weight. The usual dose is 7.5
to 12.5 mg per kilogram (kg) (3.4 to 5.6 mg per pound) of body weight four
times a day, or 15 to 25 mg per kg (6.8 to 11.4 mg per pound) of body weight
two times a day.
-
For prevention of heart infections:
-
Adults and teenagers - Take 1 gram two hours before your dental
appointment or surgery, then 500 mg six hours after taking the first dose.
-
Children - Dose is based on body weight. The usual dose is 20
mg per kg (9.1 mg per pound) of body weight two hours before the dental appointment
or surgery, then 10 mg per kg (4.5 mg per pound) of body weight six hours
after taking the first dose.
For erythromycin ethylsuccinate
-
For oral
dosage forms (oral suspension,
tablets):
-
For treatment of infections:
-
Adults and teenagers - 400 to 800 milligrams (mg) two to four
times a day.
-
Children - Dose is based on body weight. The usual dose is 7.5
to 12.5 mg per kilogram (kg) (3.4 to 5.6 mg per pound) of body weight four
times a day, or 15 to 25 mg per kg (6.8 to 11.4 mg per pound) of body weight
two times a day.
-
For prevention of heart infections:
-
Adults and teenagers - Take 1.6 grams two hours before your dental
appointment or surgery, then 800 mg six hours after taking the first dose.
-
Children - Dose is based on body weight. The usual dose is 20
mg per kg (9.1 mg per pound) of body weight two hours before the dental appointment
or surgery, then 10 mg per kg (4.5 mg per pound) of body weight six hours
after taking the first dose.
For erythromycin gluceptate
-
For injection
dosage forms:
-
For treatment of infections:
-
Adults and teenagers - 250 to 500 milligrams (mg) injected into
a vein every six hours; or 3.75 to 5 mg per kilogram (kg) (1.7 to 2.3 mg per
pound) of body weight injected into a vein every six hours.
-
Children - Dose is based on body weight. The usual dose is 3.75
to 5 mg per kg (1.7 to 2.3 mg per pound) of body weight injected into a vein
every six hours.
For erythromycin lactobionate
-
For injection
dosage forms:
-
For treatment of infections:
-
Adults and teenagers - 250 to 500 milligrams (mg) injected into
a vein every six hours; or 3.75 to 5 mg per kilogram (kg) (1.7 to 2.3 mg per
pound) of body weight injected into a vein every six hours.
-
Children - Dose is based on body weight. The usual dose is 3.75
to 5 mg per kg (1.7 to 2.3 mg per pound) of body weight injected into a vein
every six hours.
For erythromycin stearate
-
For oral
dosage forms (oral suspension,
tablets):
-
For treatment of infections:
-
Adults and teenagers - 250 to 500 milligrams (mg) two to four
times a day.
-
Children - Dose is based on body weight. The usual dose is 7.5
to 12.5 mg per kilogram (kg) (3.4 to 5.6 mg per pound) of body weight four
times a day; or 15 to 25 mg per kg (6.8 to 11.4 mg per pound) of body weight
two times a day.
-
For prevention of heart infections:
-
Adults and teenagers - Take 1 gram two hours before your dental
appointment or surgery, then 500 mg six hours after taking the first dose.
-
Children - Dose is based on body weight. The usual dose is 20
mg per kg (9.1 mg per pound) of body weight two hours before the dental appointment
or surgery, then 10 mg per kg (4.5 mg per pound) of body weight six hours
after taking the first dose.
Missed dose - If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as
soon as possible. This will help to keep a constant amount of medicine in
the blood. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed
dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage - To store this medicine:
-
Keep out of the reach of children.
-
Store away from heat and direct light.
-
Do not store the capsule or tablet form of erythromycins in the bathroom,
near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause
the medicine to break down.
-
Store the oral liquid form of some erythromycins in the refrigerator
because heat will cause this medicine to break down. However, keep the medicine
from freezing. Follow the directions on the label.
-
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure
that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.
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