Therefore, clindamycin is preferable. Adverse Reactions Erythromycin commonly causes dose-related GI tract disturbances, including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. These adverse effects are less common with clarithromycin and azithromycin. Cholestatic jaundice occurs with erythromycin estolate and less often with erythromycin ethylsuccinate. The jaundice usually appears after 10 days of administration, primarily in adults, but can occur earlier if the drug has been given previously.
Hypersensitivity reactions are rare.
Transient auditory impairment has rarely been noted with IV use of erythromycin or large oral doses of the estolate. Erythromycin raises blood levels of theophylline and potentiates terfenadine in producing ventricular arrhythmias. Clarithromycin may have similar effects. Clindamycin and lincomycin can cause diarrhea, which is sometimes severe. A single 1-g dose is used in adults for chlamydial urethritis or cervicitis.