Mayne Pharma Erythromycin (Erythromycin)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Quick Facts
What Is Mayne Pharma Erythromycin Used For?
Mayne Pharma Erythromycin capsules contain erythromycin, an antibiotic that belongs to a group of medicines called macrolides. This medication is prescribed to treat bacterial infections and prevent certain infections in specific patients.
Primary Uses
This medication treats infections in different parts of the body caused by bacteria. It’s also used to prevent infections in patients with a history of rheumatic disease who may be allergic to penicillin, particularly for long-term prevention of streptococcal infections in people with rheumatic heart disease.
How It Works
This medicine works by killing or stopping the growth of bacteria that cause infections. It will not work against viral infections such as colds or flu.
Good to know: This medicine is not addictive.
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How to Take Mayne Pharma Erythromycin
Your doctor will tell you exactly how many capsules to take each day based on your condition and other medicines you may be taking. Always follow your doctor’s instructions and complete the full course of treatment.
Dosage Instructions
For treating most infections: Take one 250 mg capsule four times a day (every 6 hours) or two 250 mg capsules twice a day (every 12 hours). For long-term prevention of streptococcal infections in people with rheumatic heart disease who are allergic to penicillin: Take one 250 mg capsule twice a day. Swallow capsules whole with a full glass of water. Do not chew or crush the capsule. Take on an empty stomach – one hour before food or two hours after food, as food can interfere with absorption.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when scheduled. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, then return to your normal schedule. If you’re unsure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose, as this may increase your chance of getting unwanted side effects.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- mild stomach upsets such as feeling sick
- diarrhea
- mild stomach pains
- vomiting
- loss of appetite
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- yellowing of skin and eyes (jaundice)
- difficulty hearing
- hallucinations or confusion
- increasingly poor appetite
- allergic reactions (rash, itching, hives, swelling of face/lips/tongue, breathing difficulties)
- chest pain
- changes in heart rhythm or rate
- convulsions (fits)
- watery and severe diarrhea (may be bloody)
- severe abdominal, stomach cramps or pain
- red, scaly rash with bumps under skin and blisters
Important Warnings
There are several important conditions and situations where this medication should not be used, and others where special caution is needed.
Who Should Not Take Mayne Pharma Erythromycin
Do not use if you: are allergic to erythromycin or any ingredients in the capsules; have severe liver problems; have ever had changes in heart rhythm or rate, or electrolyte disturbances; are taking cisapride, pimozide, ergotamine, dihydroergotamine, astemizole, terfenadine, certain irregular heartbeat medicines, or cholesterol-lowering medicines like lovastatin, simvastatin, or atorvastatin.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have: liver problems; irregular or very slow heartbeat; myasthenia gravis (a muscle weakness condition); allergies to other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes; or if you need any surgical procedures (this medicine is not suitable before gastrointestinal or genital/urinary surgery).
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. The active ingredient may cross the placenta and is found in breast milk. Some studies have reported heart defects following erythromycin use in early pregnancy. This medicine should only be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding if clearly needed.
Elderly Patients: If you are over 65 years of age, you may have an increased chance of getting side effects.
Drug Interactions
Many medicines can interact with Mayne Pharma Erythromycin capsules. Always tell your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines, vitamins, or supplements you’re taking.
Birth Control: This medicine may decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills. Use additional contraception (like barrier methods) while taking this medicine and for seven days after finishing the course.
- theophylline (asthma medicine)
- methylprednisolone and other corticosteroids
- epilepsy medicines (carbamazepine, phenytoin, valproate)
- alfentanil (pain relief/anaesthesia)
- digoxin (heart medicine)
- irregular heartbeat medicines (quinidine, disopyramide, procainamide, amiodarone, sotalol)
- rheumatoid arthritis medicines
- malaria medicines (hydroxychloroquine, chloroquine)
- blood pressure/angina medicines (verapamil, amlodipine, diltiazem)
- sleep/anxiety medicines (alprazolam, triazolam, midazolam)
- blood clot prevention medicines (warfarin, rivaroxaban)
- organ transplant medicines (cyclosporin, tacrolimus)
- cholesterol medicines (lovastatin, simvastatin, atorvastatin)
- antibiotics (clindamycin, lincomycin, penicillin, rifabutin)
- antifungal medicines (ketoconazole, itraconazole, fluconazole)
- colchicine (gout medicine)
- migraine medicines (ergotamine, dihydroergotamine)
- contraceptive pills (may decrease effectiveness)
Alcohol & Driving
Be cautious with alcohol and driving while taking this medication, as it may affect some people differently.
Alcohol
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Discuss any concerns about alcohol consumption while taking this medication.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before driving or using machines until you know how this medicine affects you. While it generally doesn’t cause problems with driving ability, it may cause dizziness in some people. If dizziness occurs, do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything that could be dangerous.
Storage
Keep capsules in their original pack until it’s time to take them. Store in a cool, dry place where temperature stays below 25°C. Keep away from moisture, heat, and sunlight – don’t store in bathrooms, near sinks, in cars, or on windowsills. Keep out of reach of children in a locked cupboard at least 1.5 meters above ground.
Overdose Information
If you think you’ve taken too many capsules, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Call the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department, even if you feel fine. Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, hearing problems, and other serious effects.
Frequently Asked Questions
You should see improvement in your symptoms within a few days of starting treatment. However, it’s important to complete the full course prescribed by your doctor, even if you feel better, to ensure the infection is completely cleared.
No, you should take this medicine on an empty stomach – either one hour before food or two hours after food. Food can interfere with the absorption of this medicine and make it less effective.
No, this medicine is not addictive. It’s an antibiotic that works by killing bacteria causing infections.
Don’t stop taking your medicine or reduce the dose just because you’re feeling better, unless your doctor tells you to. If you don’t complete the full course, the bacteria causing your infection may not be completely killed and your infection may return or not clear completely.
You should tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. While not specifically prohibited, it’s important to discuss alcohol consumption with your healthcare provider while taking this medication.
Call your doctor straight away if you get severe diarrhea, even if it occurs several weeks after stopping the medicine. This could indicate a serious bowel condition requiring urgent medical care. Don’t take any diarrhea medicine without checking with your doctor first.
Yes, Mayne Pharma Erythromycin may decrease the effectiveness of some birth control pills. Your doctor may advise using additional contraception like barrier methods while taking this medicine and for seven days after finishing the course.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.