Information about Erythromycin (Generic Ilosone) :


Erythromycin is a macrolide antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections. It slows the growth and kills bacteria. It may also be administered to prevent bacterial endocarditis and attacks of rheumatic fever.
It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

You should not use Erythromycin in case you have any condition mentioned below: you are allergic to any ingredient in Erythromycin; you are taking astemizole, cisapride, cyclosporine, diltiazem, dofetilide, ergot alkaloids (eg, ergotamine), HIV protease inhibitors (eg, ritonavir), imidazoles (eg, ketoconazole), pimozide, QT prolonging agents (eg, quinidine, sotalol), quinolones (eg, ciprofloxacin), streptogramins (eg, quinupristin/dalfopristin), sumatriptan, terfenadine, or verapamil.

In such cases it is obligatory to consult with your doctor or health care provider before taking this drug.

Before using Erythromycin:
Before using Erythromycin you should tell your doctor if you have any medical conditions listed below: you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding a baby; you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement; you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances; you have diarrhea or a stomach or intestinal infection; you have a history of kidney or liver disease, heart problems, fast or irregular heartbeat, myasthenia gravis, or the blood disorder porphyria.

Be aware that Erythromycin may interact with some medicines. Consult with your health care provider in case you are taking any other drugs, especially any of the following: efavirenz or rifampin because they may decrease Erythromycin 's effectiveness; arsenic, cimetidine,diltiazem,dofetilide,HIV protease inhibitors (eg, ritonavir), imidazoles (eg, ketoconazole), pimozide,QT-prolonging agents (eg, quinidine, sotalol), quinolones (eg, ciprofloxacin), streptogramins (eg, quinupristin/dalfopristin ), or verapamil because side effects, such as heart toxicity or irregular heartbeat, may occur; anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), aldosterone blockers (eg, spironolactone), alfentanil, arsenic, astemizole, benzodiazepines (eg, alprazolam), bromocriptine, buspirone, carbamazepine, cilostazol, cisapride, clozapine, corticosteroids (eg, hydrocortisone), cyclosporine, digitoxin, digoxin, disopyramide, ergot alkaloids (eg, ergotamine), felodipine, H1 antagonists (eg, diphenhydramine), HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (eg, lovastatin), imatinib, macrolide immunosuppressants (eg, tacrolimus), meglitinide antidiabetics (eg, repaglinide), midazolam, phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (eg, sildenafil), pimozide, QT-prolonging agents (eg, quinidine, sotalol), quinolones (eg, ciprofloxacin), rifampin, serotonin reuptake inhibitors (eg, fluoxetine), sumatriptan, theophyllines, tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline), valproic acid, or vinca alkaloids (eg, vincristine) because the risk of their side effects may increased by Erythromycin.

It may not be a complete list of all interactions with other drugs. To prevent any complications you should check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Erythromycin:
Use this medicine as recommended by your physician. Erythromycin should be taken orally with or without food at the same times each day. Taking with food helps to reduce stomach irritation in case stomach upset. You should swallow Erythromycin whole avoid breaking, crushing, or chewing.

Avoid eating grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you use Erythromycin.

In case you miss a dose of Erythromycin, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next intake, skip the missed dose and take it according to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take double doses to catch up.

Important safety information:
Consult with your doctor immediately if you experience severe diarrhea, stomach pain/cramps or bloody stools. This could be a symptom of a serious side effect requiring immediate medical attention. Do not treat diarrhea without consulting your doctor.

Erythromycin is used to treat infections caused by bacteria. Be aware that it is not effective for treatment of viral infections (eg, the common cold).

Use Erythromycin for the full course of treatment, as any failures may decrease the effectiveness of Erythromycin and may increase the risk that the bacteria will no longer be sensitive to Erythromycin and will not be able to be treated by this or certain other antibiotics in the future.

Long-term or repeated use of Erythromycin may lead to a second infection. Consult with your doctor in case signs of a second infection take place.

Lab tests, including liver function, kidney function, and complete blood cell counts, may be performed while you are using Erythromycin. It is important to control your progress or to check for side effects. Follow all doctor and lab appointments strictly.

PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING:
In case you become pregnant, consult with your doctor and discuss the benefits and risks of using Erythromycin while pregnancy. It is known that Erythromycin passes into breast milk. In case you are or will be breast-feeding a baby while using Erythromycin, consult with your doctor and discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Erythromycin:
You should consult with your doctor in case you have any of side effects especially bothersome listed below: diarrhea; loss of appetite; nausea; stomach pain; vomiting.

Seek emergency immediately in case you have any of these severe side effects: severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bloody stools; hearing changes; irregular heartbeat; red, swollen, or blistered skin; severe diarrhea; severe stomach pain or cramps; yellowing of skin or eyes.

What is the expiration date of the pills?
This information is mentioned on each blister. The expiration date is 2 years from the date of manufacture.