INDICATIONS AND USAGE
To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain
the effectiveness of Erythromycin Base Filmtab tablets and other antibacterial
drugs, Erythromycin Base Filmtab tablets should be used only to treat or prevent
infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible
bacteria. When culture and susceptibility information are available, they should
be considered in selecting or modifying antibacterial therapy. In the absence of
such data, local epidemiology and susceptibility patterns may contribute to the
empiric selection of therapy.
Erythromycin Base Filmtab tablets are indicated in the treatment of
infections caused by susceptible strains of the designated microorganisms in the
diseases listed below:
Upper respiratory tract infections of mild to moderate degree caused by Streptococcus pyogenes; Streptococcus
pneumoniae; Haemophilus influenzae (when used
concomitantly with adequate doses of sulfonamides, since many strains of H. influenzae are not susceptible to the erythromycin
concentrations ordinarily achieved). (See appropriate sulfonamide labeling for
prescribing information.)
Lower respiratory tract infections of mild to moderate severity caused by
Streptococcus pyogenes or Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Listeriosis caused by Listeria monocytogenes.
Respiratory tract infections due to Mycoplasma
pneumoniae.
Skin and skin structure infections of mild to moderate severity caused by
Streptococcus pyogenes or Staphylococcus aureus (resistant staphylococci may emerge
during treatment).
Pertussis (whooping cough) caused by Bordetella
pertussis. Erythromycin is effective in eliminating the organism from the
nasopharynx of infected individuals, rendering them noninfectious. Some clinical
studies suggest that erythromycin may be helpful in the prophylaxis of pertussis
in exposed susceptible individuals.
Diphtheria: Infections due to Corynebacterium diphtheriae
, as an adjunct to antitoxin, to prevent establishment of carriers and to
eradicate the organism in carriers.
Erythrasma - In the treatment of infections due to Corynebacterium minutissimum.
Intestinal amebiasis caused by Entamoeba
histolytica (oral erythromycins only). Extraenteric amebiasis requires
treatment with other agents.
Acute pelvic inflammatory disease caused by Neisseria
gonorrhoeae: Erythrocin Lactobionate-I.V.
(erythromycin lactobionate for injection, USP) followed by erythromycin base
orally, as an alternative drug in treatment of acute pelvic inflammatory disease
caused by N. gonorrhoeae in female patients with a
history of sensitivity to penicillin. Patients should have a serologic test for
syphilis before receiving erythromycin as treatment of gonorrhea and a follow-up
serologic test for syphilis after 3months.
Erythromycins are indicated for treatment of the following infections caused
by Chlamydia trachomatis: conjunctivitis of the
newborn, pneumonia of infancy, and urogenital infections during pregnancy. When
tetracyclines are contraindicated or not tolerated, erythromycin is indicated
for the treatment of uncomplicated urethral, endocervical, or rectal infections
in adults due to Chlamydia trachomatis.3
When tetracyclines are contraindicated or not tolerated, erythromycin is
indicated for the treatment of nongonococcal urethritis caused by Ureaplasma urealyticum.3
Primary syphilis caused by Treponema pallidum.
Erythromycin (oral forms only) is an alternative choice of treatment for primary
syphilis in patients allergic to the penicillins. In treatment of primary
syphilis, spinal fluid should be examined before treatment and as part of the
follow-up after therapy.
Legionnaires' Disease caused by Legionella
pneumophila. Although no controlled clinical efficacy studies have been
conducted, in vitro and limited preliminary clinical
data suggest that erythromycin may be effective in treating Legionnaires'
Disease.
Prophylaxis
Prevention of Initial Attacks of Rheumatic FeverPenicillin is considered by the American Heart Association to be
the drug of choice in the prevention of initial attacks of rheumatic fever
(treatment of Streptococcus pyogenes infections of
the upper respiratory tract e.g., tonsillitis, or pharyngitis).3 Erythromycin is indicated for the treatment of
penicillin-allergic patients. The therapeutic dose should be administered for
ten days.
Prevention of Recurrent Attacks of Rheumatic FeverPenicillin or sulfonamides are considered by the American Heart
Association to be the drugs of choice in the prevention of recurrent attacks of
rheumatic fever. In patients who are allergic to penicillin and sulfonamides,
oral erythromycin is recommended by the American Heart Association in the
long-term prophylaxis of streptococcal pharyngitis (for the prevention of
recurrent attacks of rheumatic fever).3