Erythromycin ethylsuccinate

To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of Ery-Ped and other antibacterial drugs, Ery-Ped should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria. When culture and susceptibility information are available, they should be considered in selecting or modifying antibacterial therapy. In the absence of such data, local epidemiology and susceptibility patterns may contribute to the empiric selection of therapy. …

• Ery-Ped (erythromycin ethylsuccinate) oral suspensions may be administered without regard to meals
• Children Age, weight, and severity of the infection are important factors in determining the proper dosage
• In mild to moderate infections, the usual dosage of erythromycin ethylsuccinate for children is 30 to 50 mg/kg/day in equally divided doses every 6 hours
• For more severe infections this dosage may be doubled
• If twice-a-day dosage is desired, one-half of the total daily dose may be given every 12 hours
• Doses may also be given three times daily by administering one-third of the total daily dose every 8 hours
• The following dosage schedule is suggested for mild to moderate infections: Body Weight Total Daily Dose Under 10 lbs 30-50 mg/kg/day 15-25 mg/lb/day 10 to 15 lbs 200 mg 16 to 25 lbs 400 mg 26 to 50 lbs 800 mg 51 to 100 lbs 1200 mg over 100 lbs 1600 mg
• Adults 400 mg erythromycin ethylsuccinate every 6 hours is the usual dose
• Dosage may be increased up to 4 g per day according to the severity of the infection
• If twice-a-day dosage is desired, one-half of the total daily dose may be given every 12 hours
• Doses may also be given three times daily by administering one-third of the total daily dose every 8 hours
• For adult dosage calculation, use a ratio of 400 mg of erythromycin activity as the ethylsuccinate to 250 mg of erythromycin activity as the stearate, base or estolate
• In the treatment of streptococcal infections, a therapeutic dosage of erythromycin ethylsuccinate should be administered for at least 10 days. …

See INDICATIONS AND USAGE and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION sections.

Elderly patients, particularly those with reduced renal or hepatic function, may be at increased risk for developing erythromycin-induced hearing loss. (See ADVERSE REACTIONS and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION ). Elderly patients may be more susceptible to development of torsades de pointes arrhythmias than younger patients. (See WARNINGS ). …

• Patients should be counseled that antibacterial drugs including Ery-Ped should only be used to treat bacterial infections
• They do not treat viral infections (e.g., the common cold)
• When Ery-Ped is prescribed to treat a bacterial infection, patients should be told that although it is common to feel better early in the course of therapy, the medication should be taken exactly as directed
• Skipping doses or not completing the full course of therapy may decrease the effectiveness of the immediate treatment and increase the likelihood that bacteria will develop resistance and will not be treatable by Ery-Ped or other antibacterial drugs in the future. …

• Erythromycin is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to this antibiotic
• Erythromycin is contraindicated in patients taking terfenadine, astemizole, pimozide, or cisapride. (See PRECAUTIONS - Drug Interactions .) Do not use erythromycin concomitantly with HMG CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) that are extensively metabolized by CYP 3A4 (lovastatin or simvastatin), due to the increased risk of myopathy, including rhabdomyolysis

Theophylline Erythromycin use in patients who are receiving high doses of theophylline may be associated with an increase in serum theophylline levels and potential theophylline toxicity. In case of theophylline toxicity and/or elevated serum theophylline levels, the dose of theophylline should be reduced while the patient is receiving concomitant erythromycin therapy. There have been published reports suggesting that when oral erythromycin is given concurrently with theophylline there is a decrease in erythromycin serum concentrations of approximately 35%. The mechanism by which this interaction occurs is unknown. …

Hepatotoxicity There have been reports of hepatic dysfunction, including increased liver enzymes, and hepatocellular and/or cholestatic hepatitis, with or without jaundice, occurring in patients receiving oral erythromycin products. QT Prolongation Erythromycin has been associated with prolongation of the QT interval and infrequent cases of arrhythmia. Cases of torsades de pointes have been spontaneously reported during postmarketing surveillance in patients receiving erythromycin. Fatalities have been reported. …

The most frequent side effects of oral erythromycin preparations are gastrointestinal and are dose-related. They include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea and anorexia. Symptoms of hepatitis, hepatic dysfunction and/or abnormal liver function test results may occur. (See WARNINGS section.) Onset of pseudomembranous colitis symptoms may occur during or after antibacterial treatment. (See WARNINGS .) Erythromycin has been associated with QT prolongation and ventricular arrhythmias, including ventricular tachycardia and torsades de pointes. (See WARNINGS .) Allergic reactions ranging from urticaria to anaphylaxis have occurred. …

Pregnancy Teratogenic Effects There is no evidence of teratogenicity or any other adverse effect on reproduction in female rats fed erythromycin base by oral gavage at 350 mg/kg/day (approximately twice the maximum recommended human dose on a body surface area) prior to and during mating, during gestation, and through weaning. …

In case of overdosage, erythromycin should be discontinued. Overdosage should be handled with the prompt elimination of unabsorbed drug and all other appropriate measures should be instituted. Erythromycin is not removed by peritoneal dialysis or hemodialysis.

Recommended Storage Store Ery-Ped 200 and Ery-Ped 400, prior to mixing, below 86°F (30°C). After reconstitution, Ery-Ped 200 and Ery-Ped 400 must be stored at or below 77°F (25°C) and used within 35 days; refrigeration is not required.

Tómala en cuanto te acuerdes, salvo que falte poco para la siguiente. En ese caso, sáltate la olvidada. Nunca tomes dos dosis a la vez para compensar. Revisa tu prospecto, porque algunos medicamentos son distintos.