How to use
Erythromycin should be taken as often as prescribed by your doctor. The tablets should be taken orally and swallowed whole. Taking Erythromycin on an empty stomach may cause nausea, but you can avoid this by taking the tablets with food or milk.

Take Erythromycin for the whole prescription period, even if you begin to feel better, as your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated.

Erythromycin only treats bacterial infections, it will not treat viral infections such as the common cold or flu. 

Overdose
If you suspect an overdose of Erythromycin, you should contact your local poison control center and/or emergency authorities immediately.

Missed dose
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for the missed dose.

Notes
While taking Erythromycin, you may feel dizzy or light-headed or actually faint when getting up from a lying or sitting position. If getting up slowly doesn't help or if this problem continues, notify your doctor.

Do not share this medication with others, as they may have a problem that is not effectively treated by Erythromycin.

Storage
Store at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C), away from light and moisture. KEEP THIS AND ALL MEDICATIONS OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.

Important note
The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed that the taking of this medication is safe, appropriate or effective for you.

 * Illustrations are for graphic purposes only and the ordered medication may differ in appearance.

Precautions
Before taking this medication, inform your doctor if you are allergic to Erythromycin or other pencillins or if you have any other allergies.

Before using this medicine, also inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have or have had:

• Liver problems such as jaundice or hepatitis after taking an antibiotic
• A liver disease

When used by an elderly person, the dosage of Erythromycin may have to be adjusted, as side effects may be more common.

Erythromycin is classed by the FDA as Pregnancy Category B, which means its safety has not yet been established for use during pregnancy. Use during pregnancy should be avoided, especially during the first trimester.

Erythromycin may be suitable to take if you are breastfeeding, but always discuss with your doctors first.  In any case, it is sensible to limit the use of medication during breastfeeding whenever possible.  

Drug Interactions
Inform your doctor of all the medication you use, especially of the following:

• Bromocriptine (Parlodel)
• Cilostazol (Pletal)
• Cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral)
• Digoxin (Lanoxin)
• Disopyramide (Norpace)
• Quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex)
• Sildenafil (Viagra)
• Tacrolimus (Prograf)
• Theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theobid, and others)
• Verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan)
• Vinblastine (Velban)
• Alprazolam (Xanax) or triazolam (Halcion)
• A blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin)
• Carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenytoin (Dilantin), or valproic acid (Depakote, Depakene)
• A cholesterol-lowering medication such as lovastatin (Mevacor) or simvastatin (Zocor)
• Ergotamine (Ercaf, Cafergot, Ergostat, Ergomar) or dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal)

This list is not complete and there are many other drugs that can interact with erythromycin. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Erythromycin may affect the dependability of your birth control medication.

Get emergency medical help if you experience any of the following side effects of an allergic reaction:

• Hives
• Difficulty breathing
• Swelling of the lips, face or tongue

Contact your doctor immediately if any of the following serious side effects occur during treatment with Erythromycin:

• Chest pain
• Uneven heartbeat
• Feeling lightheaded or fainting
• Nausea, stomach pain, low fever, lost appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
• Watery or bloody diarrhea

Less serious side effects of Erythromycin may include:

• Mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or stomach pain
• Dizziness, headache, feeling tired
• Vaginal itching or discharge
• Mild itching or skin rash

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Contact your health care professional if you experience any other side effects than those mentioned above, especially if they are bothersome.