Erythromycin (ophthalmic)
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From MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
Macrolide Antimicrobial, Macrolide
Dosing in kidney impairment
This label has no separate kidney-impairment dosing section. Check warnings and clinical pharmacology in the full label.
Contraindications
This drug is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to erythromycin.
Safety data
Reported adverse events (FAERS)
Liver injury (LiverTox)
ALikelihood score A: Well known cause of clinically apparent liver injury.
Erythromycin is an oral macrolide antibiotic that has been in common use since the 1950s. Erythromycin has been linked to rare instances of acute liver injury that are usually self-limited, but can result in severe injury and death.
ABCDEA: well known cause; E: unlikely cause. [HD]: high doses only.
Pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy
Pregnancy: Reproduction studies have been performed in rats, mice, and rabbits using erythromycin and its various salts and esters, at doses that were several multiples of the usual human dose. No evidence of harm to the fetus that appeared related to erythromycin was reported in these studies. There are, however, no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Because animal reproductive studies are not always predictive of human response, the erythromycins should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.
Lactation
Nursing Mothers: Caution should be exercised when erythromycin is administered to a nursing woman.
Breastfeeding (LactMed)
Because of the low levels of erythromycin in breastmilk and safe administration directly to infants, it is acceptable in nursing mothers. The small amounts in milk are unlikely to cause adverse effects in the infant. Monitor the infant for irritability and possible effects on the gastrointestinal flora, such as diarrhea, candidiasis (thrush, diaper rash). One case report and unconfirmed epidemiologic evidence indicates that hypertrophic pyloric stenosis in infants might occur with maternal use of erythromycin during the first two weeks of breastfeeding; however, if it occurs, the frequency is very low and others have questioned this relationship. Infant side effects are unlikely with topical application for acne, although topical application to the nipple may increase the risk of diarrhea in the infant.
Supply and cost
Drug shortage status
Recalls (last 24 months)
Therapeutic equivalence (Orange Book)
Price ladder
Not the price at the counterThese are not what a patient pays at the pharmacy counter. They are what pharmacies, health plans, and government buyers pay, before manufacturer rebates. A patient's cost depends on their insurance (copay, coinsurance, or deductible) or the pharmacy's cash price.