Erythromycin
Also sold as: Erythrocin
Prescription neededMacrolides
Comes as:TabletSuspension
Usual adult dose
Usual adult dose: 250 to 500 mg every 6 hours, usually for 7 to 14 days. Finish the full course. Children: dose by weight — ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Your doctor may give you a different dose. Children's doses depend on weight.
Side effects
Common
- nausea
- vomiting
- stomach cramps
- diarrhoea
Serious — get help
Stop taking it and see a doctor straight away if you notice:
- severe allergic reaction
- fast or irregular heartbeat or fainting
- yellow eyes or skin
- severe or bloody diarrhoea
Do not take it, or take care, if
- Allergy to macrolide antibiotics
- Heart rhythm problems (long QT)
- Severe liver disease
- Taking simvastatin
Interactions
Medicines that can react with this one.
Serious5 medicinesDo not take these together unless your doctor says so.
- Colchicine
Erythromycin raises colchicine levels and the risk of serious toxicity.
- Domperidone