Drug information

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Erythromycin
Other Names
Erythromycin ethylsuccinate, erythromycin lactobionate, erythromycin stearate, E.E.S., E.E.S. 400, Erythrocin Lactobionate, Ery-Tab, EryPed, Erythrocin Stearate
Drug Class
Antibacterial (Macrolide)
 

What is erythromycin? What is erythromycin?

What is erythromycin?

Erythromycin is an antibacterial prescription medicine approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of several bacterial infections, such as certain respiratory tract infections, skin infections, and sexually transmitted infections. Erythromycin is also FDA-approved to prevent rheumatic fever (a complication of untreated strep throat or scarlet fever) and bacterial endocarditis (a type of heart infection).

Some bacterial infections can be opportunistic infections (OIs) of HIV. An OI is an infection that occurs more frequently or is more severe in people with weakened immune systems—such as people with HIV—than in people with healthy immune systems. To learn more about OIs, read the HIVinfo What is an Opportunistic Infection? fact sheet.

How is erythromycin used in people with HIV? How is erythromycin used in people with HIV?

How is erythromycin used in people with HIV?

The Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Opportunistic Infections in Adults and Adolescents with HIV include recommendations on the use of erythromycin to treat certain infections caused by the bacteria Bartonella (also called bartonellosis) in people with HIV, including:

  • Cat scratch disease (an infection spread by cats that commonly affects lymph nodes)
  • Bacillary angiomatosis and peliosis hepatis (infections affecting the skin and liver)
  • Bacteremia (infection of the blood)
  • Osteomyelitis (infection of the bone)
  • Other severe infections

The recommended uses may not always be consistent with FDA-approved uses of erythromycin. See the Guidelines for complete information on recommended uses of erythromycin in adults and adolescents with HIV. Erythromycin may have other recommended uses not listed above.

What should I tell my health care provider before using erythromycin? What should I tell my health care provider before using erythromycin?

What should I tell my health care provider before using erythromycin?

Before using erythromycin, tell your health care provider:

  • If you are allergic to erythromycin or any other medicines.
  • About any medical conditions you have or have had, including:
    • Liver problems
    • Heart problems or an irregular heartbeat, especially a problem called “QT prolongation”
    • Myasthenia gravis (a disease that causes muscle weakness)
    • Low potassium or low magnesium
  • About anything that could affect your ability to take medicines, such as difficulty swallowing pills, difficulty remembering to take pills, or any health conditions that may prevent your use of intravenous medicines.
  • If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Talk to your health care provider about the risks and benefits of using erythromycin during pregnancy. The Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Opportunistic Infections in Adults and Adolescents with HIV may include other recommendations on the use of erythromycin during pregnancy. Please refer to these guidelines for additional information.
  • If you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. For mothers with HIV in the United States, the Guideline recommends speaking with your health care provider to discuss options for feeding your baby. Mothers with suppressed viral load have a less than 1% chance of transmitting HIV to their baby via their own milk. Although most medicines are safe to use while breastfeeding, some medicines should be avoided. Always let your health care provider know about all the medicines and supplements you are using before you start breastfeeding.
  • About other prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Erythromycin may affect the way other medicines or products work, and other medicines or products may affect how erythromycin works. Ask your health care provider if there are interactions between erythromycin and the other medicines you take.

How should I use erythromycin? How should I use erythromycin?

How should I use erythromycin?

Use erythromycin according to your health care provider’s instructions. Your health care provider will tell you how much erythromycin to use and when to use it. 

It is important to complete the full prescribed course of treatment with erythromycin, even if you begin to feel better. If you stop using erythromycin too soon or skip doses, your infection may not be fully treated, and the bacteria may become harder to treat (resistant).

Before you start erythromycin and each time you get a refill, read any printed information that comes with your medicine.

What side effects can erythromycin cause? What side effects can erythromycin cause?

What side effects can erythromycin cause?

Erythromycin may cause side effects that can be mild or serious. To learn about possible side effects of erythromycin, see the FDA drug labels for erythromycin tablet, granule (for suspension), capsule (delayed release pellets), tablet (delayed release), and injection or talk to your health care provider or pharmacist. Tell your health care professional if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. Your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some side effects.

You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or online.

How should erythromycin be stored? How should erythromycin be stored?

How should erythromycin be stored?

  • Store erythromycin tablets at room temperature, 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C).
  • Store erythromycin granules for oral suspension, before reconstitution (mixing), at room temperature, 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C). After erythromycin granules have been reconstituted, store the oral suspension in a refrigerator and use within 10 days.
  • Store erythromycin delayed-release capsules between 59° F and 86° F (15° C and 30° C).
  • Store erythromycin delayed-release tablets below 86°F (30°C).
  • Store vials of erythromycin for injection at room temperature, 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C). For instructions on the storage of reconstituted solutions for infusion, please see the drug label.
  • Keep erythromycin in the container that it came in and keep the container tightly closed.
  • Do not use erythromycin if the original seal over the container opening is broken or missing.
  • Throw away erythromycin that is no longer needed or expired (out of date). Follow FDA Guidelines on how to safely dispose of unused medicine.
  • Keep erythromycin and all medicines out of reach of children.

Where can I find more information about erythromycin? Where can I find more information about erythromycin?

Where can I find more information about erythromycin?

 

 

 

Last Reviewed: January 24, 2025