Erythromycin instructions for administration

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Instructions for administration

Adults

Children

Streptococcal infections

Primary syphilis

Intestinal amebiasis

Legionnaires’ disease

Urogenital infections during pregnancy due to Chlamydia trachomatis

Pertussis

Nongonococcal urethritis due to Ureaplasma urealyticum

Acute pelvic inflammatory disease due to N gonorrhoeae

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Adults

The usual dose is 250 mg every 6 hours taken one hour before meals. If twice-a-day dosage is desired, the recommended dose is 500 mg every 12 hours. Dosage may be increased up to 4 grams per day, according to the severity of the infection. Twice-a-day dosing is not recommended when doses larger than 1 gram daily are administered. Return to top

Children

Age, weight, and severity of the infection are important factors in determining the proper dosage. The usual dosage is 30 to 50 mg/kg/day in divided doses. For the treatment of more severe infections, this dose may be doubled. Return to top

Streptococcal infections

A therapeutic dosage of oral erythromycin should be administered for at least 10 days. For continuous prophylaxis against recurrences of streptococcal infections in persons with a history of rheumatic heart disease, the dose is 250 mg twice a day. Return to top

Primary syphilis

30-40 grams given in divided doses over a period of 10-15 days. Return to top

Intestinal amebiasis

250 mg four times daily for 10 to 14 days for adults; 30 to 50 mg/kg/day in divided doses for 10 to 14 days for children. Return to top

Legionnaires’ disease

Although optimal doses have not been established, doses utilized in reported clinical data were those recommended above (1 to 4 grams daily in divided doses). Return to top

Urogenital infections during pregnancy due to Chlamydia trachomatis

Although the optimal dose and duration of therapy have not been established, the suggested treatment is erythromycin 500 mg, by mouth, 4 times a day on an empty stomach for at least 7 days. For women who cannot tolerate this regimen, a decreased dose of 250 mg, by mouth, 4 times a day should be used for at least 14 days. For adults with uncomplicated urethral, endocervical, or rectal infections caused by Chlamydia trachomatis in whom tetracyclines are contraindicated or not tolerated: 500 mg, by mouth, 4 times a day for at least 7 days. Return to top

Pertussis

Although optimum dosage and duration of therapy have not been established, doses of erythromycin utilized in reported clinical studies were 40-50 mg/kg/day, given in divided doses for 5 to 14 days. Return to top

Nongonococcal urethritis due to Ureaplasma urealyticum

When tetracycline is contraindicated or not tolerated: 500 mg of erythromycin, orally, four times daily for at least 7 days. Return to top

Acute pelvic inflammatory disease due to N gonorrhoeae

500 mg IV of erythromycin lactobionate for injection, USP every 6 hours for 3 days followed by 250 mg of erythromycin, orally every six hours for 7 days. Return to top

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The content of this page is taken from the FDA package insert for this drug and should not be edited.