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What Is Erythromycin?

Erythromycin is a macrolide antibacterial medicine. Delayed-release tablets contain erythromycin base and are enteric coated to protect the medicine from stomach acid. Current oral tablet labeling includes 250 mg, 333 mg, and 500 mg strengths for treatment of selected infections caused by susceptible organisms.

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What Is Erythromycin?

Erythromycin is a macrolide antibacterial medicine. Delayed-release tablets contain erythromycin base and are enteric coated to protect the medicine from stomach acid. Current oral tablet labeling includes 250 mg, 333 mg, and 500 mg strengths for treatment of selected infections caused by susceptible organisms.

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How Does Erythromycin Stop Bacterial Growth?

Erythromycin binds to the 50S ribosomal subunit of susceptible bacteria and inhibits protein synthesis. It does not inhibit bacterial nucleic acid synthesis. Resistance commonly involves modification of 23S ribosomal RNA or bacterial efflux mechanisms.

Which Infections Are Treated With Erythromycin?

Delayed-release erythromycin tablets treat selected respiratory, skin and skin structure, chlamydial, pertussis, diphtheria, erythrasma, listeriosis, and other susceptible infections. They also have selected alternative uses when tetracyclines or penicillin cannot be used. Antibiotic treatment is reserved for proven or strongly suspected susceptible bacterial infection.

How Are Erythromycin Delayed-Release Tablets Dosed?

The usual adult dose is 250 mg four times daily. Other labeled schedules include 333 mg every eight hours or 500 mg every 12 hours. Doses can rise to 4 g daily for severe infection. Pediatric dosing commonly uses 30 mg to 50 mg per kg daily in divided doses and can increase for severe infection.

What Serious Risks Are Linked to Erythromycin?

Serious concerns include liver injury, QT prolongation, ventricular arrhythmias including torsades de pointes, Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea, severe allergic or skin reactions, and numerous CYP3A-related drug interactions. Infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis has been reported after erythromycin treatment in infants. Hearing loss has also occurred, especially with high doses or kidney impairment.

Frequently Asked Questions About Erythromycin

What type of antibiotic is erythromycin?

Erythromycin is a macrolide antibacterial medicine that inhibits bacterial protein synthesis.

What is a usual adult delayed-release erythromycin dose?

A common regimen is 250 mg four times daily, with other labeled schedules based on tablet strength.

Can erythromycin affect heart rhythm?

Yes. Erythromycin has been associated with QT prolongation, ventricular arrhythmias, and torsades de pointes.

Does erythromycin have drug interactions?

Yes. Erythromycin inhibits CYP3A and can interact with numerous prescription medicines.

References

DailyMed - ERYTHROMYCIN tablet, delayed release. https://www.dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=66b0d891-8756-43d1-b046-6dba787dd96f. Date Accessed September 30, 2026.

Erythromycin. LiverTox. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547881/. Date Accessed September 30, 2026.

Erythromycin. MedlinePlus. https://www.medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682381.html. Date Accessed September 30, 2026.

Erythromycin. PubChem. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Erythromycin. Date Accessed September 30, 2026.

Erythromycin. StatPearls. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532249/. Date Accessed September 30, 2026.