Consumer Information for: ERYTHRO-S
Consumer Information
Information about the product including what the product is used for, dosage, warnings, proper use and side effects. This summary will not tell you everything about the product. Contact your healthcare professional if you have any questions about the product.
What the medication is used for
ERYTHRO-S treats certain bacterial infections:
- Of the respiratory tract.
- of skin and other soft tissue.
- passed during sex (e.g. gonorrhea or syphilis).
Antibacterial drugs like erythromycin treat only bacterial infections. They do not treat viral infections such as the common cold.
What it does
Erythromycin is an antibiotic. It works by killing or stopping the growth of the bacteria. This helps reduce your infection.
When it should not be used
What the medicinal ingredient is
Erythromycin stearate
What the non-medicinal ingredients are
ERYTHRO-S: carnauba wax, colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, erythrosine lake, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, magnesium stearate, methyl cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, and titanium dioxide.
What dosage form it comes in
250 mg Tablets
Warnings and precautions
Serious Warnings and Precautions
Do not use ERYTHRO-S if you:
- astemizole* and terfenadine* (antihistamines, for treating allergies).
- dihydroergotamine, ergotamine (for migraine).
- cisapride* (for stomach problems).
- pimozide (for psychiatric problems).
- lovastatin and simvastatin (used for heart and cholesterol problems).
* no longer marketed in Canada
To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take ERYTHRO-S. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:
- have liver problems.
- have myasthenia gravis (a disease which causes muscle weakness, difficulty chewing and swallowing and slurred speech).
- have an irregular heartbeat, especially a problem called QT prolongation.
- are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
- are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. ERYTHRO-S can be passed to your baby through breast milk.
Other warnings you should know about:
If you develop diarrhea during or after treatment with erythromycin stearate, tell your doctor at once. Do not use any medicine to treat your diarrhea without first checking with your doctor.
Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.
Interactions with this medication
The following may interact with ERYTHRO-S:
- alfentanil, midazolam and triazolam (sedatives which may be given before an operation).
- astemizole* and terfenadine* (antihistamines, for treating allergies).
- atorvastatin, lovastatin (for reducing blood cholesterol).
- carbamazepine, hexobarbital, phenytoin (for epilepsy).
- chloramphenicol, clindamycin and lincomycin (for infections).
- cyclosporine (for prevention of rejection after graft or organ transplant).
- cisapride* (for stomach problems).
- digoxin and quinidine (for heart conditions).
- dihydroergotamine, ergotamine (for migraine).
- oral anticoagulants (for preventing blood clots).
- pimozide (for psychiatric problems).
- theophylline (for breathing problems).
* no longer marketed in Canada
Proper use of this medication
How to take ERYTHRO-S:
- Although you may feel better early in treatment, ERYTHRO-ES should be used exactly as directed.
- Misuse or overuse of erythromycin ethylsuccinate could lead to the growth of bacteria that will not be killed by erythromycin (resistance). This means that erythromycin may not work for you in the future.
- Do not share your medicine.Erythromycin should be swallowed, at least 30 minutes and preferably 2 hours before or after a meal.
Usual Dose
- 500 mg every 12 hours or 250 mg every 6 hours
Your doctor may decide to increase the dose depending on the specific condition you have.
Overdose
Do not take more tablets than your doctor has told you to.
Missed Dose
If you should forget to take your tablet at the usual time, take it as soon as you remember unless it is time to take the next one. Continue with the remaining doses as before. Do not take more than one dose at a time.
Side effects and what to do about them
These are not all the possible side effects you may feel when taking ERYTHRO-S. If you
experience any side effects not listed here, contact your healthcare professional.
Side effects may include:
- Anorexia (loss of appetite)
- Confusion.
- Hallucinations.
- Reversible hearing loss
- Vertigo (dizziness, balance problem).
If they occur, they are likely to be minor and temporary. However, some may be serious and need medical attention.
| Symptom / effect | Talk to your healthcare professional only if severe | Talk to your healthcare professional in all cases | Stop taking drug and get immediate help |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common | |||
| Clostridium difficile colitis (bowel inflammation): severe diarrhea (bloody or watery) with or without stomach cramps and fever | ✔ | ||
| RARE | |||
| Severe allergic reaction: with symptoms such as swollen mouth, throat, lips, difficulty breathing, skin reactions (rash, blisters, hives) | ✔ | ||
| Liver problems: nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and discomfort, yellowing of the skin and eyes | ✔ | ||
| Abnormal heart rhythm: Irregularities of the heartbeat (palpitations) | ✔ | ||
| Seizure | ✔ | ||
If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, talk to your healthcare professional.
How to store
Store at room temperature (15°C to 30°C) in a tightly closed container.
Keep out of reach and sight of children.
Reporting side effects
You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:
- Visiting the Web page on Adverse Reaction Reporting www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugshealth-products/medeffect-canada/adverse-reaction-reporting.html for information on how to report online, by mail or by fax; or
- Calling toll-free at 1-866-234-2345.
NOTE: Contact your health professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice.
More information
Read this carefully before you start taking ERYTHRO-S and each time you get a refill. This leaflet is a summary and will not tell you everything about this drug. Talk to your healthcare professional about your medical condition and treatment and ask if there is any new information about ERYTHRO-S.
If you want more information about ERYTHRO-S:
- Talk to your healthcare professional
- Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes this Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada website health-products.canada.ca/dpd-bdpp/index-eng.jsp; Find the Patient Medication Information on the manufacturer’s website www.aapharma.ca/en, or by calling 1-877-997-9097.
This leaflet was prepared by AA Pharma Inc.
Last Revised: May 15, 2019
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