Sometimes when we go to the doctor for a sore throat or a skin infection, we are prescribed an antibiotic, right? One popular drug that is given like this is Erythromycin. Today we are talking about the chewable tablets of this drug. If you are using this drug, or if you are giving it to your child, it is very important to be aware of the facts we are talking about.
What is Erythromycin?
Simply put, erythromycin is an antibiotic. Its main function is to treat bacterial infections in our body. Sometimes you can find it under the brand name `EryPed`.
The most important thing to remember is that this medicine only works on bacteria. It will not cure viral illnesses like colds and flu.
Therefore, never do things like "I took an antibiotic I had at home as soon as I had a fever" without consulting a doctor.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting this medication
It is important for your doctor to be fully informed about your health status before prescribing this medication. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions:
| Your health condition | Why should you inform? |
|---|---|
| Liver disease | This medication can affect the liver, so it should be taken into account if you already have liver disease. |
| Myasthenia gravis | This is a muscle-weakening disease, and erythromycin can worsen symptoms. |
| Any type of allergy | It is very important to tell your doctor if you have any allergies to erythromycin, other medications, foods, or preservatives. |
| Being pregnant or trying to get pregnant | It is imperative to seek medical advice before taking any medication during pregnancy. |
| Breastfeeding | It is important to consider whether the medication can be passed to the baby through breast milk. |
How exactly do you use this medicine?
Since this is a chewable tablet, special care must be taken in how it is used.
- Chew well: Before swallowing this pill, you should chew it thoroughly until it is completely crushed . Otherwise, do not swallow it whole.
- When to drink: For best results, it is best to drink on an empty stomach , either half an hour (30 minutes) before a meal or two hours after a meal.
- If you experience stomach upset: Some people may experience a slight stomach discomfort or heartburn when taking this on an empty stomach. If that happens, it's okay to take it with a little food or a glass of milk.
- Take it at the right time: Take the medicine at the time prescribed by the doctor, at the right intervals.
- Complete the course: This is the most important thing. Even if you feel better now, you should take the full course of medication for the number of days prescribed by your doctor. Do not stop halfway. If you do, the remaining bacteria can become stronger and the infection can come back.
If you give it to children...
This medicine is also prescribed for children. But only under the supervision of a doctor. Ask the doctor clearly about the dosage and method of giving it to the child.
Overdose
If you think you have taken too much medicine, don't panic. Immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Alternatively, go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
Other medications that may interact with this medicine
Erythromycin can interact with many other medications, so it's important to tell your doctor about all the medications you're taking (prescribed by other doctors, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and even traditional medicines).
Below are some medications that are very dangerous to take with erythromycin and should not be taken .
| Drugs that should never be taken with erythromycin | |
|---|---|
| Cisapride, Pimozide, Terfenadine, Astemizole | It can cause severe changes in heart rate. |
| Some cholesterol-lowering medications (e.g. Simvastatin, Lovastatin) | Muscles can be severely damaged. |
| Migraine medications such as Ergotamine and Dihydroergotamine | It can have serious effects on blood vessels. |
Additionally, there are a number of other medications that can cause problems, including birth control pills, blood thinners like Warfarin, Theophylline (used for asthma), and Carbamazepine (used for fits). Therefore, it is very important to provide your doctor with a list of all the medications you are taking .
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medicine, erythromycin can cause side effects in some people. Some of these can be dangerous, so it's good to be aware of them.
| Side effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that you should report to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, difficulty breathing. |
| Changes in heart rate | Feeling like your heart is beating fast, chest pain, dizziness, and fainting. |
| Symptoms of liver damage | Pain in the upper right abdomen, loss of appetite, yellowing of the eyes or skin, dark yellow/brown urine. |
| Severe diarrhea | Watery diarrhea that lasts for more than two days with fever. |
| Side effects that are usually not dangerous, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Normal diarrhea | Abdominal distension with slight discomfort. |
| Nausea/stomach ache | Feeling like you're going to vomit or feeling sick to your stomach. |
Take-Home Message
- Erythromycin chewable tablets should be chewed completely before swallowing.
- Even if you feel well, take the full course of medication prescribed by your doctor for the same number of days.
- Inform your doctor about all other medications, vitamins, and traditional medicines you are taking.
- Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any serious side effects such as skin rash, difficulty breathing, or severe diarrhea.
- If you suspect an overdose, call the National Poisons Information Center or go to the nearest Emergency Department (ETU) .
- This medicine is for you only. Do not share it with others .
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න