Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Erythrocin I.V.
What is ERYTHROCIN® I.V. used for?
ERYTHROCIN® I.V. is an antibiotic. ERYTHROCIN® I.V. is used to treat bacterial infections such as:
- Chest infections like bronchitis or pneumonia.
- Skin and tissue infections.
ERYTHROCIN® I.V. is typically used when your condition requires that your medication be delivered directly into the bloodstream. ERYTHROCIN® I.V. may also be used if you are unable to swallow pills.
Antibiotics medications like ERYTHROCIN® I.V treat only bacterial infections. They do not treat viral infections. Although you may feel better early in your treatment, ERYTHROCIN® I.V should be used exactly as directed. Misuse or overuse of ERYTHROCIN® I.V could lead to the growth of bacteria that will not be killed by ERYTHROCIN® I.V (resistance). This means that ERYTHROCIN® I.V may not work for you in the future. Do not share your medicine.
How does ERYTHROCIN® I.V. work?
Erythromycin is in a class of antibiotics called macrolides. ERYTHROCIN® I.V. works by killing or stopping the growth of bacteria which cause infections.
What are the ingredients in ERYTHROCIN® I.V.?
Medicinal ingredients:
Erythromycin lactobionate
Non-medicinal ingredients:
Acid Lactobionic (Lactobionate powder source)
Charcoal activated
Nitrogen
Water for Injection
ERYTHROCIN® I.V. comes in the following dosage forms:
ERYTHROCIN® I.V. comes as a sterile Powder.
Each vial of ERYTHROCIN® I.V. contains: 500mg or 1g of Erythromycin (as erythromycin lactobionate)
Serious Warnings and Precautions
Talk to your healthcare professional before you take Erythrocin® I.V if you:
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Do not use ERYTHROCIN® I.V. if:
you are allergic to :
- erythromycin
- any of the other ingredients of ERYTHROCIN® I.V. (see What are the ingredients in ERYTHROCIN® I.V.?).
- other macrolides antibiotics from the same group such as clarithromycin and azithromycin.
you are taking a medication called:
- *Astemizole or *terfenadine (used for hay fever and allergies),
- *Cisapride (used for stomach problems) or *pimozide (used for mental illness
- Ergotamine or dihydroergotamine (used for migraine headaches)
- Simvastatin or lovastatin (used to lower cholesterol). Abnormal muscle breakdown ( rhabdomyolysis) may occur.
(see Taking other medicines with ERYTHROCIN® I.V.)
- You have abnormally low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood (hypomagnesaemia or hypokalaemia)
You or someone in your family has a history of heart rhythm conditions (Called QT prolongation). This includes conditions called ventricular cardiac arrhythmia or torsades de pointes.
*No longer marketed in Canada
To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take ERYTHROCIN® I.V. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:
- Please see the Serious Warnings and Precautions Box at the beginning of PATIENT MEDICATION INFORMATION.
- are elderly
- have liver problems
- are suffering from an inherited form of vision loss (Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy or autosomal dominant optic atrophy). There is a risk of having visual problems after receiving erythromycin.
- have or have ever had colitis (inflammation of the large intestine) or other conditions that affect your stomach or intestines
- suffer from a condition called myasthenia gravis (characterized by muscle weakness)
Other warnings you should know about:
Call your healthcare professional if:
- your child become irritable (fussy) or vomit when fed during treatment with ERYTHROCIN® I.V (See Serious side effects and what to do about them).
Breast-feeding and pregnancy:
Tell your healthcare professional if you:
- are breast-feeding.
- are pregnant.
- think you might be pregnant.
- are planning to have a baby.
Driving and using machines:
Give yourself time after receiving ERYTHROCIN® I.V. to see how you feel before driving a vehicle or using machinery.
Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.
Serious Drug Interactions Do not take ERYTHROCIN® I.V. with the following:
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The following may interact with ERYTHROCIN® I.V.:
- Rifampicin, rifabutin, clindamycin, lincomycin, chloramphenicol (medicines used to treat different types of bacterial infection);
- Phenytoin, carbamazepine, valproate (used to control epilepsy);
- Phenobarbital (used as sedatives);
- St John’s Wort (a herbal medicine used to treat depression);
- Alfentanil (a medicine used to provide pain relief);
- Bromocriptine (used to treat Parkinson's disease);
- Cilostazol (a medicine used to treat conditions that affects blood vessels in the legs or arm)
- Colchicine (used to treat gout and arthritis);
- Cyclosporin and tacrolimus (used following organ transplants)
- Digoxin, procainamide, dofetilide, amiodarone and sotalol (used to treat heart problems);
- Lovastatin and simvastatin (used to lower cholesterol)
- Sildenafil (used to treat erectile dysfunction; inability to get or keep an erection);
- Zopiclone, triazolam and alprazolam (used to help you sleep or relieve states of anxiety);
- Vinblastine (used to treat certain types of cancer);
- Theophylline (used to treat asthma and other breathing problems);
- Methylprednisolone (used to help suppress the body's immune system-this is useful in treating a wide range of conditions);
- Oral Anticoagulants (Blood thinner medicines) e.g. warfarin, acenocoumarol and rivaroxaban.
*No longer marketed in Canada
How to take ERYTHROCIN® I.V.:
Usual dose:
Adults and Children: The recommended dose is 15 to 20 mg per kg of body weight per day.
Your healthcare professional will calculate the right dose for you or your child.
Your healthcare professional will also tell you how long to use ERYTHROCIN® I.V as the length of your treatment depends on the type of infection you or your child may have.
ERYTHROCIN® I.V comes as a powder to be mixed with a liquid (Sterile Water for Injection) prior to use. Your healthcare professional will prepare the solution for you.
Your healthcare professional will inject ERYTHROCIN® I.V solution slowly into your vein.
Overdose:
| If you think you have received too much ERYTHROCIN® I.V., contact your healthcare professional, hospital emergency department or regional Poison Control Centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms. |
The symptoms of over dosage may include hearing loss, severe nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. The symptoms are generally reversible and disappear normally following discontinuation of erythromycin.
Missed Dose:
If you missed a dose of Erythrocin® I.V., your healthcare professional will decide when you should receive your next dose.
What are possible side effects from using ERYTHROCIN® I.V.?
These are not all the possible side effects you may feel when taking ERYTHROCIN® I.V. If you experience any side effects not listed here, contact your healthcare professional. Please also see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS.
Side effects reported include:
- Abdominal cramping and discomfort
- Feeling sick, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and lack of appetite (anorexia)
- pain and discomfort at the site of the injection
- Low blood pressure (causing dizziness etc.)
- itching or hives
Serious side effects and what to do about them
| Symptom / effect | Talk to your healthcare professional | Get immediate medical help | |
| Only if severe | In all cases | ||
| Convulsions (fits) |
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| Confusion (feel disoriented and have difficulty paying attention, remembering, and making decisions) |
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| Hallucinations (seeing, hearing or even feeling something that is not really there) |
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| Hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ears) |
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| Vertigo (spinning sensation) |
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| Eosinophilia (a type of blood disorder usually found with blood tests) |
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| Chest pain |
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| Palpitations (feeling that your heart is pounding or racing) |
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Abnormal heart rhythms including
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Infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (narrowing of the pylorus, the opening from the stomach into the small intestine in infants):
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Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas): Severe pain in the upper abdomen, nausea, and vomiting |
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Rhabdomyolysis (abnormal muscle breakdown)
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Tubulointerstitial nephritis (kidney problem):
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Severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction:
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Bowel infection (Clostridium difficile colitis): May happen 2 or more months after you have finished ERYTHROCIN® I.V
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Serious disorders of your skin and mucous membranes (such as eyes, lips or genital area) Conditions known as Stevens Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis and erythema multiforme). flu-like symptoms (fever, headache, cough, body aches) followed by a painful red or purplish rash that spreads and blisters, skin peeling |
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| skin reaction: a red, scaly rash with bumps under the skin and |
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| blisters (exanthematous pustulosis) | |||
Various liver or gall-bladder problems, which can cause:
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| Vision problem |
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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.
Reporting Side Effects
You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:
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. |
Storage:
Store powder between 15°C and 25°C. Protect from heat.
Keep out of reach and sight of children.
If you want more information about ERYTHROCIN® I.V.:
- 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 (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/drug-products/drug-product-database.html); the manufacturer’s website https://methapharm.com/products/ or by calling 1-800-287-7686 (Ext. 7804).
Amdipharm Limited
Temple Chamber, 3 Burlington Road,
Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland