Erythromycin Ophthalmic

Name: Erythromycin Ophthalmic

Erythromycin Ophthalmic Side Effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using erythromycin ophthalmic and call your doctor at once if you have severe burning, stinging, or other irritation after using the ointment.

Less serious side effects may include:

  • mild stinging or eye irritation;
  • mild itching or redness
  • blurred vision; or
  • increased sensitivity to light.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Uses For erythromycin

Erythromycin belongs to the family of medicines called antibiotics. Erythromycin ophthalmic preparations are used to treat infections of the eye. They also may be used to prevent certain eye infections of newborn babies, such as neonatal conjunctivitis and ophthalmia neonatorum. They may be used with other medicines for some eye infections.

Erythromycin is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before Using erythromycin

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 erythromycin, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to erythromycin or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Studies on erythromycin have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of erythromycin in children with use in other age groups.

Geriatric

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 or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use of erythromycin in the elderly with use in other age groups.

Interactions with 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. When you are taking erythromycin, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using erythromycin with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

  • Clindamycin
  • Warfarin

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Uses of Erythromycin

  • It is used to treat or prevent eye infections.

How is this medicine (Erythromycin) best taken?

Use erythromycin as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

  • To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.
  • Use as you have been told, even if your signs get better.
  • For the eye only.
  • Wash your hands before and after use.
  • Do not touch the container tip to the eye, lid, or other skin.
  • Place drug inside the lower lid. Close the eye for 1 to 2 minutes. Roll eyeball around.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

  • Use a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
  • If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
  • Do not use 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

Dosage Forms

Excipient information presented when available (limited, particularly for generics); consult specific product labeling. [DSC] = Discontinued product

Ointment, Ophthalmic:

Ilotycin: 5 mg/g (1 g [DSC])

Romycin: 5 mg/g (3.5 g [DSC])

Generic: 5 mg/g (1 g, 3.5 g)

Brand Names U.S.

  • Ilotycin [DSC]
  • Romycin [DSC]

Pharmacology

Inhibits RNA-dependent protein synthesis at the chain elongation step; binds to the 50S ribosomal subunit resulting in blockage of transpeptidation

Dosing Adult

Ocular infections, superficial: Ophthalmic: Instill ~1 cm ribbon into affected eye(s) up to 6 times daily, depending on the severity of the infection

Storage

Store at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F); protect from freezing and excessive heat.

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