erythrocin
Pharmaranks rates Erythrocin 3.0/5 for recall safety — an independent score from its FDA recall history and its manufacturer's record. Erythrocin (Erythromycin Lactobionate) is a macrolide used to treat Acne Vulgaris, Campylobacter Infections, Chancroid, Chlamydia Infections.
Erythromycin Lactobionate · by Hospira
Available as a generic: Erythromycin Lactobionate
Based on 1 source · Recall-safety score from FDA recall history — this product's own recalls and its manufacturer's record. Not an efficacy or quality rating. methodology →
Key facts
- Active ingredient
- Erythromycin Lactobionate
- Drug class
- Macrolide
- Form
- Injectable
- Strength
- Erythromycin Lactobionate EQ 1GM BASE/VIAL · Erythromycin Lactobionate EQ 500MG BASE/VIAL
- Type
- Prescription (Rx)
- Brand or generic
- Brand-name
- May treat
- acne vulgaris, campylobacter infections, chancroid
- Manufacturer
- Hospira
- FDA application
- NDA050609
What is Erythrocin?
From the FDA label:Erythromycin is produced by a strain of Streptomyces erythraeus and belongs to the macrolide group of antibiotics. It is basic and readily forms salts with acids. Erythrocin Lactobionate-IV (erythromycin lactobionate for injection, USP), is a soluble salt of erythromycin suitable for intravenous administration. It is available as a sterile, white to off-white lyophilized powder in single-dose vials. Each vial contains the equivalent of 500 mg of erythromycin activity. It is prepared as a solution and lyophilized in its final container. The lactobionic acid content is 244 mg per vial. Lactobionic acid and/or erythromycin are used to adjust the pH during the manufacture of the product. When reconstituted as directed, each mL contains 50 mg of erythromycin activity. The pH of the reconstituted solution is 6.5 - 7.5. Erythromycin lactobionate is chemically known as erythromycin mono (4-0-β-D-galactopyranosyl-D-gluconate) (salt). The structural formula is: formula erythromycin lactobionate
How to use
For the treatment of severe infections in adults and pediatric patients, the recommended intravenous dose of erythromycin lactobionate is 15 to 20 mg/kg/day. Higher doses, up to 4 g/day, may be given for severe infections. Administration of doses of ≥4 g/day may increase the risk for the development of erythromycin-induced hearing loss in elderly patients, particularly those with reduced renal or hepatic function. Erythrocin Lactobionate-IV (erythromycin lactobionate for injection, USP) must be administered by continuous or intermittent intravenous infusion only. Due to the irritative properties of erythromycin, IV push is an unacceptable route of administration. Continuous infusion of erythromycin lactobionate is preferable due to the slower infusion rate and lower concentration of erythromycin; however, intermittent infusion at six hour intervals is also effective. Intravenous erythromycin should be replaced by oral erythromycin as soon as possible. For slow continuous infusion: The final diluted solution of erythromycin lactobionate is prepared to give a concentration of 1 g per liter (1 mg/mL). For intermittent infusion: Administer one-fourth the total daily dose of erythromycin lactobionate by intravenous infusion in 20 to 60 minutes at intervals not greater than every six hours. The final diluted solution of erythromycin lactobionate is prepared to give a concentration…
Side effects
Erythromycin has been associated with QT prolongation and ventricular arrhythmias, including ventricular tachycardia and torsades de pointes (See WARNINGS ). Side effects following the use of intravenous erythromycin are rare. Occasional venous irritation has been encountered, but if the infusion is given slowly, in dilute solution, preferably by continuous intravenous infusion or intermittent infusion in no less than 20 to 60 minutes, pain and vessel trauma are minimized. Allergic reactions ranging from urticaria to anaphylaxis have occurred. Skin reactions ranging from mild eruptions to erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and toxic epidermal necrolysis have been reported rarely. There have been isolated reports of reversible hearing loss occurring chiefly in patients with renal insufficiency and in patients receiving high doses of erythromycin. Elderly patients, particularly those with reduced renal or hepatic function, may also be at increased risk for developing this effect when Erythrocin TM doses of 4 grams/day or higher are given (See DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION ).
Warnings
Important safety information
Hepatotoxicity There have been reports of hepatic dysfunction, with or without jaundice occurring in patients receiving oral erythromycin products. Since erythromycin is principally excreted by the liver, monitor for liver toxicity when erythromycin is administered to patients with impaired hepatic function (See CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY ). Clostridioides difficile- Associated Diarrhea Clostridioides difficile -associated diarrhea (CDAD) has been reported with the use of nearly all antibacterial agents, including erythromycin, and may range in severity from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis. Treatment with antibacterial agents alters the normal flora of the colon, leading to overgrowth of C. difficile . C. difficile produces toxins A and B, which contribute to the development of CDAD. Hypertoxin producing strains of C. difficile cause increased morbidity and mortality, as these infections can be refractory to antimicrobial therapy and may require colectomy. CDAD must be considered in all patients who present with diarrhea following antibiotic use. Careful medical history is necessary since CDAD has been reported to occur over 2 months after the administration of antibacterial agents. If CDAD is suspected or confirmed, ongoing antibiotic use not directed against C. difficile may need to be discontinued. Appropriate fluid and electrolyte management, protein supplementation, antibiotic treatment of C. difficile , and surgical evaluation should be instituted as clinically indicated. QT Prolongation Life-threatening episodes of ventricular tachycardia associated with prolonged QT intervals (torsades de pointes) have been reported in some patients after intravenous administration of erythromycin lactobionate. Susceptibility to the development of torsades de pointes arrhythmias, a rare but serious cardiac condition, is related to electrolyte imbalance, hepatic dysfunction, myocardial ischemia, left ventricular dysfunction, idiopathic Q-T prolongation, and concurrent antiarrhythmic therapy. 3 Elderly patients exhibit a greater frequency of decreased hepatic function, cardiac function, and of concomitant disease and other drug therapy, and therefore should be monitored carefully during Erythrocin TM therapy. Infantile Hypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis (IHPS) There have been reports of IHPS occurring in infants following erythromycin therapy. Since erythromycin may be used in the treatment of conditions in infants which are associated with significant mortality or morbidity (such as pertussis or chlamydia), the benefit of erythromycin therapy needs to be weighed against the potential risk of developing IHPS. Parents or caregivers of infants receiving erythromycin should be informed to contact their physician if vomiting or irritability with feeding occurs. Drug Interactions Serious adverse reactions have been reported in patients taking erythromycin concomitantly with CYP3A4 substrates. These include colchicine toxicity with colchicine; rhabdomyolysis with simvastatin, lovastatin, and atorvastatin; and hypotension with calcium channel blockers metabolized by CYP3A4 (e.g. verapamil, amlodipine, diltiazem, vasospasm and ischemia with ergotamine/dihydroergotamine) (See PRECAUTIONS – Drug Interactions ).
Who should not take Erythrocin
Erythromycin is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to this antibiotic. Erythromycin is contraindicated in patients taking terfenadine or astemizole, cisapride, pimozide, ergotamine, or dihydroergotamine (See WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS – Drug Interactions ). Do not use erythromycin concomitantly with 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase inhibitors (statins) that are extensively metabolized by cytochrome P450 isoform 3A4 (lovastatin or simvastatin), due to the increased risk of myopathy, including rhabdomyolysis (See WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS – Drug Interactions ).
Overdose — what happens if you take too much
In the case of overdosage, erythromycin infusion should be discontinued and all other appropriate measures should be instituted. Adverse reactions at higher than recommended doses could be similar to those reported with oral formulations of erythromycin, particularly, severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, hepatitis, pancreatitis, and transient hearing loss. Erythromycin is not removed by peritoneal dialysis or hemodialysis.
U.S. Poison Control: call or text 1-800-222-1222 (free, 24/7). In an emergency call 911. From the FDA label; not medical advice.
Drug class
How this class works, per Macrolides - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf.
May treat (source: NIH RxClass)
See how Erythrocin ranks — best-rated macrolide for:
Dosage forms
Injectable
The forms currently marketed in the U.S., per the FDA National Drug Code Directory.
Ways to save
Ask for the generic
Same active ingredient, far cheaper. Is there a generic? →
Request a 90-day supply
Bulk fills usually lower the per-dose price vs monthly refills.
Use copay cards
Manufacturer copay cards & patient-assistance programs — especially for brand drugs.
Compare alternatives
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Frequently asked questions
- What does Erythrocin treat?
- Erythrocin (Erythromycin Lactobionate) may be used to treat acne vulgaris, campylobacter infections, chancroid, chlamydia infections, erythrasma, gastroenteritis, based on NIH RxClass drug-classification data (conditions a drug may treat — not a verbatim copy of the FDA-approved label). This is general reference, not medical advice.
- How does Erythrocin work?
- Erythrocin is a macrolide. Macrolide antibiotics latch onto the bacterial ribosome's 50S subunit, the cell's protein-building machine, and block the growing protein chain from being assembled. Without the proteins they need, the bacteria stop multiplying, which lets the immune system clear the infection.
- How is Erythrocin rated?
- pharmaranks gives Erythrocin a composite score of 3.0 out of 5, currently based on 1 weighted source (FDA regulatory recall-safety data weighted highest). See our methodology at /how-we-rate.
- Is there a coupon or discount for Erythrocin?
- pharmaranks is an independent ratings site, not a pharmacy — we don't issue coupons or sell Erythrocin. To pay less, ask your prescriber or pharmacist whether a generic equivalent exists, check the manufacturer's copay/savings card and patient-assistance program, and compare a pharmacy discount card against your insurance copay. Prices vary by pharmacy, insurance, and location, so always confirm at the counter. This is general reference, not medical or financial advice.
- Who makes Erythrocin?
- Erythrocin is marketed by Hospira. You can see Hospira's full profile, rating, and other products on pharmaranks.
- Is Erythrocin a brand-name or generic drug?
- Erythrocin is a brand-name product with the active ingredient Erythromycin Lactobionate. Lower-cost generic equivalents containing Erythromycin Lactobionate are available — ask your pharmacist.
- Is Erythrocin available over the counter?
- No. Erythrocin is a prescription (Rx) medication in the US — you need a prescription from a licensed clinician (in person or via telehealth); it isn't sold over the counter. For some conditions there are OTC alternatives — ask your pharmacist.
- What forms does Erythrocin come in?
- Erythrocin is currently marketed as injectable, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory.
- What class of drug is Erythrocin?
- Erythrocin is classified as macrolide, macrolide antimicrobial, per the FDA's Established Pharmacologic Class.
- Is Erythrocin FDA-registered?
- Erythrocin is on record with the U.S. FDA under application number NDA050609. You can verify this on its official FDA label.
- Has Erythrocin been recalled by the FDA?
- Erythrocin has no FDA recalls recorded under its own application in the openFDA enforcement database. Its recall-safety score reflects its manufacturer's overall recall record. This is general reference, not medical advice — check the FDA recall database for the latest alerts.
- Is Erythrocin safe?
- There's no single safe-or-not verdict. pharmaranks gives Erythrocin a recall-safety score of 60/100, based on its FDA recall history (no recalls under its own FDA application) — not an efficacy or side-effect rating. Review its FDA-label side effects and warnings before use, and always consult a licensed professional.
- What are the side effects of Erythrocin?
- Erythrocin's side effects are taken directly from its FDA label. From the label: Erythromycin has been associated with QT prolongation and ventricular arrhythmias, including ventricular tachycardia and torsades de pointes (See WARNINGS ). Side effects following the use of intravenous erythromycin are rare. Occasional venous irritation has been encountered,… Both common and serious reactions are documented in full on this page. This is general reference from the FDA, not medical advice — always consult a professional.
Clinical content sourced from the FDA label via openFDA (U.S. FDA). View the FDA label on DailyMed → Provided for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional and the current prescribing information.
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