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| Other drug names: | A-Am An-Az B C-Ch Ci-Cz D-Dh Di-Dz E F G H I-J K-L M-Mh Mi-Mz N-Nh Ni-Nz O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q-R S-Sn So-Sz T-To Tp-Tz U-V W-Z 0-9 |
| Contents of this page: | |
Some commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.--
In Canada--
Generic name product may be available in the U.S.
Erythromycin (eh-rith-roe-MYE-sin) belongs to the family of medicines called antibiotics. Erythromycin topical preparations are used on the skin to help control acne. They may be used alone or with one or more other medicines that are applied to the skin or taken by mouth for acne. They may also be used for other problems, such as skin infections, as determined by your doctor.
Erythromycin is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage forms:
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For topical erythromycin, the following should be considered:
Allergies--Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this or any of the other erythromycins. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as preservatives or dyes.
Pregnancy--Topical erythromycin has not been studied in pregnant women. However, this medication has not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems in animal studies.
Breast-feeding--It is not known whether topical erythromycin passes into the breast milk. Erythromycin, given by mouth or by injection, does pass into the breast milk. However, erythromycin topical preparations have not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies.
Children--Erythromycin topical solution has been tested in children 12 years of age and older and, in effective doses, has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems than it does in adults.
Older adults--Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific information comparing use of topical erythromycin in the elderly with use in other age groups, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.
Other medicines--Although certain medicines should not be used
together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together
even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to
change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care
professional if you are using any other topical prescription or nonprescription
(over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine that is to be applied to the same area of
the skin. Before applying
this medicine, thoroughly wash the affected area with warm water and soap,
rinse well, and pat dry. After washing or shaving, it is best to wait 30 minutes
before applying the pledget (swab), topical gel, or topical liquid form. The
alcohol in them may irritate freshly washed or shaved skin. This medicine will not cure your acne. However, to help keep your acne
under control, keep using this medicine for the full
time of treatment
, even if your symptoms begin to clear up after a
few days. You may have to continue using this medicine every day for months
or even longer in some cases. If you stop using this medicine too soon, your
symptoms may return. It is important that you do not
miss any doses
. Dosing--The dose of topical 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 topical erythromycin. If your dose
is different, do not change it unless
your doctor tells you to do so. Missed dose--If you miss a dose of this medicine, apply it as
soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the
missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. For patients using the pledget (swab), topical gel, or topical liquid form
of erythromycin:
Proper Use of This Medicine
Storage--To store this medicine:
If your acne does not improve within 3 to 4 weeks, or if it becomes worse, check with your health care professional. However, treatment of acne may take up to 8 to 12 weeks before you see full improvement.
For patients using the pledget (swab), topical gel, or topical liquid form of erythromycin:
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. The following side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine.
However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:
For erythromycin ointment
Less common
Peeling; redness
For erythromycin pledget (swab), topical gel, or topical liquid form
More common
Dry or scaly skin; irritation; itching; stinging or burning feeling
Less common
Peeling; redness
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.
Revised: 09/18/2000
Interim revision:
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