Composition:
Each tablet contains:
Erythromycin Stearate.................250 mg or 500 mg

Properties:
Erythromycin is produced by a strain of streptomyces erythraeus and belongs to the macrolide group of antibiotics. It interferes with 50S subunit of ribosomes. It is bacteriostatic or bactericidal depending on its concentration and the type of organism .

Erythromycin is active against most Gram +ve bacteria including Staphylococci,Streptococci, Corynebacterium diphtheria and Listeria monocytogenes .

Susceptible Gram -ve bacteria include Bordetella pertussis, Branhamella catarrhalis, Campylobacter and Neisseria sp. Legionella sp. including L.pneumophila. Other susceptible organisms include Chlamydia sp. Mycoplasma pneumonia, some non - tuberculous mycobacteria , Urea plasma urealytica ,Treponema pallidum , Entamoeba histolytica and some Rickettsiae. Many Gram - positive anaerobes are susceptible to erythromycin but its activity against Gram-negative anaerobes is variable.

Peak plasma concentration is about 0.5 mcg per ml and is achieved within 4 hours of a dose of 250 mg of the base . Plasma half- lives from I.2 - 4 hours have been reported .
Erythromycin is widely distributed throughout body tissues and fluids .

Erythromycin is excreted in high concentrations in the bile and up to 5 % of an oral dose appears in the urine .

Indications:
Erythromycin is indicated in the treatment of infections due to susceptible microorganisms such as:
Infections of the upper and lower respiratory tract, skin and soft tissue infections, diphtheria (in addition to antiserum), acne vulgaris.....etc

► Erythromycin is also indicated in patients allergic to penicillins in the prophylaxis of endocarditis and in the treatment of syphilis.

► Erythromycin is also the drug of choice for the Legionnaire's disease.

Contraindications:
Known hypersensitivity to erythromycin .

Precautions:
Erythromycin should be administered with caution to patients with impaired hepatic function as it is principally excreted by the liver.

Use during pregnancy & lactation:
During pregnancy and lactation it should be noticed that Erythromycin crosses the placental barrier and appears in breast milk.

Drug Interactions:
Erythromycin may potentiate the action of some drugs, including Carbamazepine , cyclosporine, theophylline and warfarin .

Dosage & route of administration & duration:
► Adults :
For moderate infections.................one tablet ( 250 mg) every 6 hours.
For severe infections : 1-2 tablets ( 500 mg) every 6 hours.
► Children :
The dose is usually 30 - 50 mg/kg body weight daily and may be doubled in severe infections.

N.B : The tablets should be taken preferably on an empty stomach.

Adverse effects:
Erythromycin is considered one of the most reliable antibiotics in now a days use. Gastrointestinal disturbances such as abdominal discomfort and cramping are the most frequent side effects but nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are infrequent . Few cases of slight allergic reactions of the skin have been reported.

Storage:
Keep at temperature not exceeding than 30ºC.
Keep out of the reach of children.

Presentation:
Box of 1000 tablets(250 mg) or ( 500 mg).