People's Pharmacy

Erythromycin

Other Brand Names: E-Mycin

Revised:4/1/2000

Table of Contents

Side Effects and Interactions

The most frequent side effects of erythromycin-type antibiotics involve digestive tract upset. Stomach pain and cramping are not uncommon.

Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite and diarrhea can be troublesome for some people.

Less common adverse reactions include jaundice, pale stools, confusion, hairy tongue, itching of the anus or vagina and hearing loss, especially in older people or individuals with kidney problems. Report any symptoms to your physician promptly.

E-Mycin can interact with several other medicines including the asthma drug theophylline, the anti-seizure medication Tegretol, the blood thinner Coumadin, the sleeping pill Halcion and the migraine medicine ergotamine.

It should not be taken by people who are also taking the antihistamines Seldane or Hismanal, as it could lead to a dangerous build-up of these drugs in the body.

Check with your pharmacist and physician to make sure E-Mycin is safe in combination with any other drugs you take.