Erythromycins Health Article

Definition

Erythromycins, also called macrolides, are a group of antibiotics, medicines that kill bacteria or prevent their growth.

Description

The antibiotics in this group are:

• azithromycin (Zithromax)
• clarithromycin (Biaxin)
• clindamycin (Cleocin)
• erythromycin (EES, Pediazole)
• lincomycin (Lincocin)

These drugs are chemically related and have similar uses, but because they are distributed differently in the body, they may be used for different purposes. There are other, older drugs in this group, but they are no longer in general use.

General use

Erythromycin is similar in use to penicillin and is widely used for patients who are allergic to penicillin. Penicillin has advantages over erythromycin in that it kills bacteria, while erythromycin only stops bacterial growth and relies on the body's immune system to kill bacteria. Also, erythromycin is more likely to cause stomach upset than is penicillin. Sometimes erythromycin may be used to treat a microorganism that is resistant to penicillin.

Azithromycin and clarithromycin both reach the lungs and respiratory tract better than does erythromycin. These two drugs may be preferred for respiratory tract infections.

Clindamycin and lincomycin are similar to each other and are more effective than erythromycin for treatment of infections caused by anaerobic bacteria. Anaerobic bacteria can grow in the absence of oxygen.

Precautions

Symptoms should begin to improve within a few days of beginning to take this medicine. If they do not, or if they get worse, parents should check with the physician who prescribed the medicine.

Erythromycins may cause mild diarrhea that usually goes away during treatment. However, severe diarrhea could be a sign of a very serious side effect. Anyone who develops severe diarrhea while taking erythromycin or related drugs should stop taking the medicine and call a physician immediately.

Side effects

The most common side effects are mild diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and stomach or abdominal cramps. These problems usually go away as the body adjusts to the drug and do not require medical treatment. Less common side effects, such as sore mouth or tongue and vaginal itching and discharge also may occur and do not need medical attention unless they persist or are bothersome.

More serious side effects are not common but may occur. If any of the following side effects occurs, check with a physician immediately:

• severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• fever
• skin rash, redness, or itching
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Although rare, very serious reactions to azithromycin (Zithromax) are possible, including extreme swelling of the lips, face, and neck, and anaphylaxis (a violent allergic reaction which can potentially include shock). If children develop these symptoms after taking azithromycin, they should stop taking the medicine and parents should get them immediate medical help.

Other rare side effects may occur with erythromycins and related drugs.