T-Stat

Erythromycin topical is an antibiotic that fights skin infection caused by bacteria.

Erythromycin topical (for the skin) is used to treat bacterial infections such as severe acne.

Erythromycin topical may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Use exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Wash your hands before and after using this medicine.

Avoid using other medications on the areas you treat with erythromycin topical unless your doctor tells you to.

Avoid getting this medication in your eyes, mouth, and nose, or on your lips. If it does get into any of these areas, rinse with water.

It may take up to 12 weeks before your symptoms improve. Keep using the medication as directed and tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 6 weeks of treatment.

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, stop taking erythromycin topical and call your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

You should not use erythromycin topical if you are allergic to it.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether erythromycin topical will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.

Erythromycin topical can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Do not use this medicine on a child younger than 18 years old without the advice of a doctor.

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

Stop using erythromycin topical and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• severe burning, stinging, or redness;
• oozing or other signs of skin infection;
• worsening of your skin condition; or
• diarrhea that is watery or bloody.

Less serious side effects may include:

• mild skin irritation or tenderness;
• dry or oily skin;
• itching;
• peeling; or
• mild eye irritation.

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.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

• Other antibiotics
• Anticoagulants, such as warfarin (Coumadin)
• Astemizole (Hismanal)
• Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
• Cisapride (Propulsid)
• Clozapine (Clozaril)
• Colchicine
• Cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune)
• Digoxin (Lanoxin)
• Disopyramide (Norpace)
• Ergotamine
• Felodipine (Plendil)
• Lovastatin (Mevacor)
• Phenytoin (Dilantin)
• Pimozide (Orap)
• Terfenadine (Seldane)
• Theophylline (Theo-Dur)
• Triazolam (Halcion)
• Verapamil (Calan, Verelan)

This is not a complete list of erythromycin drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Before taking erythromycin, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:

• are allergic to erythromycin or to any of its ingredients
• are allergic to azithromycin (Zithromax), clarithromycin (Biaxin), or dirithromycin (Dynabac)
• have or have had yellowing of the skin or eyes
• have liver problems
• have heart problems
• have stomach problems, especially colitis
• are pregnant or breastfeeding

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Erythromycin falls into category B.

There are no well-done studies that have been done in humans with erythromycin. In animal studies, pregnant animals were given this medication, and the babies did not show any medical issues related to this medication.

Oral:

Take erythromycin exactly as prescribed.

This medication comes in capsule, tablet, long-acting capsule, long-acting tablet, chewable tablet, suspension, and pediatric drop forms for oral use. It is usually taken 3 to 4 times daily.

Do not chew, divide, or break the long-acting capsules and tablets. Swallow these whole and take with a full glass of water.

Topical:

This medication also comes in topical solution and gel forms and as an ophthalmic ointment.

Injectable:

This medication is available in an injectable form to be given directly into a vein (IV) by a healthcare professional.

If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take two doses of erythromycin at the same time.

For topical use only. Not for ophthalmic use.

Erythromycin is an antibiotic produced from a strain of Streptomyces erythraeus. It is basic and readily forms salts with acids. Each ml of T-Stat (erythromycin) 2.0% Topical Solution contains 20 mg of erythromycin base in a vehicle consisting of alcohol (71.2%), propylene glycol and fragrance. It may contain citric acid to adjust pH.

T-Stat Solution or Pads should be applied over the affected area twice a day after the skin is thoroughly washed with warm water and soap and patted dry. Acne lesions on the face, neck, shoulder, chest, and back may be treated in this manner. Additional pads may be used, if needed.

This medication should be applied with applicator top or the disposable applicator pads. If fingertips or pads are used, wash hands after application. Drying and peeling may be controlled by reducing the frequency of applications.