Drug reference
erythromycin
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Drug class
Anti Bacterial (Macrolides)
Mechanism of action
Inhibits bacterial growth, possibly by blocking dissociation of peptidyl tRNA from ribosomes, causing RNA-dependent protein synthesis to arrest
Common side effects
- Headache
- Nausea
- Erythema
- Dryness
- Contact sensitization
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
Contraindications
- Documented hypersensitivity Coadministration with terfenadine, cisapride, astemizole, pimozide Coadministration with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors that are extensively metabolized by CYP3A4 (lovastatin or simvastatin) Co-administration with ergotamine or dihydroergotamine
Known interactions (26)
- dronedarone + erythromycin Contraindicated
- erythromycin + flibanserin Contraindicated
- erythromycin + fluconazole Contraindicated
- erythromycin + lovastatin Contraindicated
- erythromycin + pimozide Contraindicated
- erythromycin + simvastatin Contraindicated
- carbamazepine + erythromycin Major
- colchicine + erythromycin Major
- dasatinib + erythromycin Major
- domperidone + erythromycin Major
- eletriptan + erythromycin Major
- erythromycin + indapamide Major
- erythromycin + lapatinib Major
- erythromycin + nilotinib Major
- erythromycin + quinidine Major
- erythromycin + sotalol Major
- erythromycin + Theophylline Major
- erythromycin + voriconazole Major
- aprepitant + erythromycin Moderate
- efavirenz + erythromycin Moderate
- erythromycin + everolimus Moderate
- erythromycin + nevirapine Moderate
- erythromycin + phenytoin Moderate
- erythromycin + rifabutin Moderate
- erythromycin + verapamil Moderate
- erythromycin + griseofulvin Minor
Related conditions
Frequently asked questions
What drug class is erythromycin?
erythromycin belongs to: Anti Bacterial.
How does erythromycin work?
Inhibits bacterial growth, possibly by blocking dissociation of peptidyl tRNA from ribosomes, causing RNA-dependent protein synthesis to arrest
What are the common side effects of erythromycin?
Headache, Nausea, Erythema, Dryness, Contact sensitization, Abdominal pain, Diarrhea
Which drugs interact with erythromycin?
dronedarone, flibanserin, fluconazole, lovastatin, pimozide, simvastatin, carbamazepine, colchicine, dasatinib, domperidone, eletriptan, indapamide, lapatinib, nilotinib, quinidine
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
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