Erythromycin

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Sections available in full article Name, Class of drug, Description, Uses, Administration, Routes of administration, Dosage, Pharmocokinetics, Normal, Pathological variations, Precautions, Interactions, Adverse reactions, Sources, Publications,
Contributors
Synonyms Erythromycin A

Name

  • Erythromycin.

Class of drug

  • Macrolide antibiotic.

Uses

Action

  • Binds to 50S ribosome, inhibiting peptide bond formation.
  • Bactericidal or bacteriostatic, depending on drug concentration and bacterial susceptibility.
  • May stimulate motilin release → gastrointestinal prokinetic.

Indications

  • Has similar, although not identical, antibacterial spectrum to penicillins.
  • Gram-positive infections.
    Some Staphylococci Staphylococcus spp are resistant - can be quite high
  • Gram-positive bacilli and some gram-negative infections, eg Pasturellaspp.
  • Some strains of Actinomyces, Nocardia Nocardia spp , Chlamydia Pseudomonas and Rickettsia Escherichia coli.
    Most strains of the enterobacteriaceae, eg Pseudomonasspp, Escherichia coli, Klebsiellaspp, are resistant
  • Penetrates soft tissues including skin; useful in treatment of prostatitis Acute prostatitis.

Adverse reactions

Other reported reactions

  • Vomiting. This can be avoided by using enteric coated products.

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