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Antimicrobials
Erythromycin

Erythromycin

None
N/A
IV: $$$$ PO: $

Spectrum of Activity

Antibiogram Data
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General Information

  • Bacterial Pneumonia: Ampicillin + Tobramycin (Add IV erythromycin if suspect Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma hominis, or Ureaplasma urealyticum)

  • Sickle cell disease: Ceftriaxone ± Erythromycin (IV)*

    • *Add erythromycin if required for coverage against Chlamydophila pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae

  • Pertussis: Alternative therapy

  • Conjunctivitis: Neonate, (alternative therapy for Chlamydia trachomatis), older infants and children (alternative therapy Erythromycin ophthalmic ointment)

  • Bacterial Pneumonia: Add IV erythromycin if suspect Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma hominis, or Ureaplasma urealyticum

ODB Funded (tablet, ER tablet, capsule, oral liquid)

Erythromycin (base)

  • Empty Stomach Preferably
  • Do Not Crush or Chew
  • If enteric-coated, do not crush or chew
  • Avoid grapefruit. Seville orange, lime and pomelo may also cause the interaction
  • If grapefruit consumed during drug therapy, clinical monitoring required, especially for gastrointestinal disturbances, prolonged QTc interval, torsades de pointes, deafness

Neonates:

  • Assess risk-benefit in full-term infants <14 days of age due to association of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis

Infants and Older Children:

  • Clearance of other drugs, including cyclosporine, tacrolimus, sirolimus, and carbamazepine, will be decreased; consult Pharmacy for details

Use base for patients with cystic fibrosis.

Give PO on an empty stomach (1 hr ac or 2 hr pc) unless GI upset occurs.