Rythro Estolate

Adults: The recommended adult dose is 250 mg every 6 hours or 500 mg every 12 hours. The maximum daily dose is 4 g. The exact dose and the length of treatment depends on the condition being treated.

Children: Doses for children depend on their age, weight, and the condition being treated.

Erythromycin estolate can be taken without regard to meals. Shake well before use. Finish all of , even if you start to feel better.

Many things can affect the dose of a medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important to take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

Each 5 mL of light pink suspension has a cherry aroma and contains 250 mg erythromycin as estolate. Nonmedicinal ingredients: antifoaming emulsion, artificial cherry flavour, benzoic acid, citric acid, disodium EDTA, FD&C Red No. 2, polysorbate, sucrose, sodium citrate, sodium chloride, sodium lauryl sulfate, and tragacanth.

Erythromycin estolate should not be taken by anyone who:

• is allergic to erythromycin, or to any of the ingredients of the medication
• is allergic to clarithromycin or other macrolide antibacterial agents
• is taking astemizole*, terfenadine, cisapride, or Pimozide
• is pregnant
• has preexisting liver disease or dysfunction

*Astemizole, terfenadine, and cisapride are no longer marketed in Canada.

There may be an interaction between erythromycin estolate and any of the following:

• alfentanil
• Alfuzosin
• Alprazolam
• Amiodarone
• Amlodipine
• astemizole
• Atorvastatin
• azithromycin
• "azole" antifungal agents (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole, fluconazole, posaconazole)
• Bromazepam
• Bromocriptine
• Buspirone
• Carbamazepine
• chloramphenicol
• cisapride
• clindamycin
• Clobazam
• Clonazepam
• Clopidogrel
• Clozapine
• Colchicine
• corticosteroids (e.g., Methylprednisolone, Prednisone, Dexamethasone)
• Cyclosporine
• dabigatran
• Diazepam
• Digoxin
• Dihydroergotamine
• Diltiazem
• Disopyramide
• Divalproex
• Doxepin
• Dronedarone
• Eplerenone
• ergotamine
• Felodipine
• Fentanyl
• fexofenadine
• Flurazepam
• grapefruit juice
• lincomycin
• levofloxacin
• Lovastatin
• Loxapine

• Maprotiline
• Mefloquine
• Methadone
• methysergide
• midazolam
• moxifloxacin
• Norfloxacin
• Phenytoin
• phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (e.g., Sildenafil, Tadalafil, Vardenafil)
• pimozide
• Propafenone
• protease inhibitors (e.g., atazanavir, indinavir, lopinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir)
• Quetiapine
• quinidine
• quinine
• rifabutin
• rifampin
• Risperidone
• salmeterol
• Simvastatin
• Sirolimus
• Sotalol
• SSRIs (e.g., Citalopram, Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, Sertraline)
• Tacrolimus
• telithromycin
• terfenadine
• Tetrabenazine
• Theophylline derivatives (e.g., theophylline, Aminophylline, Oxtriphylline)
• thioridazine
• Topotecan
• Triazolam
• tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., Amitriptyline, Nortriptyline)
• Trimipramine
• Valproic acid
• Verapamil
• vinca alkaloid antineoplastic agents (e.g., Vinblastine, Vincristine, Vinorelbine)
• Warfarin
• Ziprasidone
• Zopiclone

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with . Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use .

Allergic reactions: Hives and mild rashes as well as infrequent serious allergic reactions have been reported by people taking . Erythromycin should be taken with caution by anyone who has had any form of allergy to medications. If you experience an allergic reaction to erythromycin, stop taking the medication and contact your doctor.

Diarrhea: is associated a serious infection called Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea, caused by the bacteria C. difficile. This can occur as late as 2 months after your last dose of . If you have loose, watery bowel movements that are green, foul-smelling, or bloody that may be accompanied by Fever after taking erythromycin, get medical attention as soon as possible.

Liver problems: People with reduced liver function should discuss with their doctor how may affect their medical condition, how their medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of , and whether any special monitoring is needed.

There have been reports of liver problems occurring in a small percentage of people receiving erythromycin products, particularly erythromycin estolate. Anyone experiencing yellowing of the pigments of their eyes or skin (suggestive of jaundice) should see their doctor.

Myasthenia Gravis: Use of may aggravate this condition.

Overgrowth of organisms: Prolonged or repeated use of erythromycin may result in an overgrowth of bacteria or fungi and organisms that aren't killed by the medication, causing problems such as yeast infections.

Pregnancy: should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking , contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking erythromycin, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety of erythromycin for use by newborns has not been established.

<p>Erythromycin belongs to the class of medications known as <i>macrolide antibiotics</i>. It is used to <b>treat infections caused by certain types of bacteria.</b></p><p>It is most commonly used to treat the following:</p><ul> <li>lower respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia, Whooping Cough, diphtheria, and Legionnaires' Disease</li> <li>sexually transmitted infections such as Syphilis and Chlamydia</li> <li>upper respiratory infections such as Sinusitis and pharyngitis</li> <li>skin infections (including Acne)</li></ul><p><b>Your doctor may have suggested for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles.</b> As well, some forms of may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking , speak to your doctor. <b>Do not stop taking without consulting your doctor.</b></p><p><b>Do not give to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do.</b> It can be harmful for people to take if their doctor has not prescribed it.</p>