Erythromycin is a medication used to treat all sorts of bacterial infections. According to Drugs.com, it can also treat bacterial endocarditis (infection of your heart's inner heart layer) and rheumatic fever. Erythromycin belongs to a class of drugs called macrolide antibiotics. It reduces the growth of the bacteria in your body and it can even destroy it. Erythromycin is available as a tablet and as a oral solution (liquid). Take this medication as your doctor prescribes.
Common Side Effects
According to MedlinePlus, erythromycin typically causes stomach pain or cramping, vomiting, diarrhea and a skin rash. Frequent cycles of diarrhea and vomiting can both lead to massive fluid loss. This can result in dehydration and reduced blood potassium levels. Symptoms of dehydration include decreased urination, dry lips and dry skin. Replenish your fluid and drink six to ten glasses of water every day. Symptoms of hypokalemia (reduced blood levels of potassium) can cause weakness, constipation and muscle spasms. Take a potassium supplement under your doctor's supervision and add bananas, apricots, spinach and raisins to your diet.
Serious Side Effects
Erythromycin can cause photosensitivity. This refers to a condition in which your skin is very sensitive to ultraviolet light. Use caution when going out in the sun, as erythromycin makes you susceptible to sunburns and skin rashes. Apply sunblock with a sun-protection factor of at least 15. Cover your body with light-colored clothing. Light colors reflect light whereas darker colors absorb ultraviolet light.
Drugs.com indicates that erythromycin can also cause liver damage. Signs of this include nausea, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), stomach pain, a poor appetite and fever. Your doctor will obtain a blood sample to determine the levels of the following liver enzymes: alanine aminotransferase (AST) and aspartate aminotransferase (ALT). Increased AST and ALT levels indicate liver damage.
Erythromycin can also cause chest pain and irregular heartbeats. Both these conditions compromise the quantity of blood that reaches the rest of your organs. Lack of blood flow to your brain results in lightheadedness and fainting. Tell your doctor immediately when erythromycin causes these symptoms.
Additional Concerns
Tell your physician if you have a history of liver or stomach problems, because erythromycin can exacerbate these medical problems. Avoid erythromycin if you are hypersensitive to macrolide antibiotics. Physical manifestations of a hypersensitivity reaction include hives, trouble breathing and throat, facial and tongue swelling. Do not combine erythromycin with pimocide and cisapride, says Drugs.com. The combination can cause heart rhythm abnormalities.
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