Ery-Tab

Generic name: erythromycin (oral)
Drug class: Macrolides

Medically reviewed by A Ras MD.

What is Ery-Tab?

Ery-Tab is a prescription medicine that is used to treat or prevent bacterial infections. Ery-Tab may be given to you for other reasons.

Description

ERY-TAB® (erythromycin delayed-release tablets) is an antibacterial product containing erythromycin base in a specially enteric-coated tablet. The coating protects the antibiotic from the inactivating effects of gastric acidity and permits efficient absorption of the antibiotic in the small intestine. ERY-TAB® tablets for oral administration are available in three dosage strengths, each white oval tablet containing either 250 mg, 333 mg, or 500 mg of erythromycin as the free base. ERY-TAB® tablets comply with USP Dissolution Test 1.

Erythromycin is produced by a strain of Saccharopolyspora erythraea (formerly Streptomyces erythraeus) and belongs to the macrolide group of antibiotics. It is basic and readily forms salts with acids. Erythromycin is a white to off-white powder, slightly soluble in water, and soluble in alcohol, chloroform, and ether. Erythromycin is known chemically as (3R*, 4S*, 5S*, 6R*, 7R*, 9R*, 11R*, 12R*,13S*, 14R*)-4-[(2,6-dideoxy-3-C-methyl-3-O-methyl-α -L-ribo-hexopyranosyl)oxy]-14-ethyl-7,12,13-trihydroxy-3,5,7,9,11,13-hexamethyl-6-[[3,4,6-trideoxy-3-(dimethylamino)-β-D-xylo-hexopyranosyl]oxy]oxacyclotetradecane-2,10-dione. The molecular formula is C37H67NO13, and the molecular weight is 733.94. The structural formula is:

Inactive Ingredients

Ammonium hydroxide, colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, crospovidone, diacetylated monoglycerides, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hypromellose, hypromellose phthalate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, povidone, propylene glycol, sodium citrate, sorbitan monooleate, talc, and titanium dioxide.

Before taking Ery-Tab, tell your doctor:

If you are allergic to Ery-Tab; any part of this medicine; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
If you have any of these health problems: Long QTc on ECG or other heartbeat that is not normal, slow heartbeat, or low potassium or magnesium levels.
If you take any drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) that must not be taken with Ery-Tab, like certain drugs that are used for mood problems, a heartbeat that is not normal, or migraine headaches. There are many drugs that must not be taken with Ery-Tab.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this medicine.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take Ery-Tab with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take Ery-Tab?

For all patients taking Ery-Tab:

Tell all of your health care providers that you take Ery-Tab. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
Have your blood work checked if you are on Ery-Tab for a long time. Talk with your doctor.
This medicine may affect certain lab tests. Tell all of your health care providers and lab workers that you take Ery-Tab.
Do not use longer than you have been told. A second infection may happen.
If you are on a low-sodium or sodium-free diet, talk with your doctor. Some of these products have sodium.
If you have myasthenia gravis, talk with your doctor. Call your doctor if your signs get worse. Signs of myasthenia gravis have also happened in people who do not have it. Call your doctor right away if you have new or worse muscle weakness, trouble chewing or swallowing, trouble breathing, droopy eyelids, or change in eyesight like blurred eyesight or seeing double.
If you are 65 or older, use Ery-Tab with care. You could have more side effects.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan on getting pregnant, or are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to you and the baby.

Newborns:

A very bad stomach problem has happened in newborns taking Ery-Tab. Call the doctor right away if your child throws up or gets irritable with feeding.

How is Ery-Tab best taken?

Use Ery-Tab as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

Take with or without food, unless your doctor tells you to take it another way.
Swallow whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.
Keep taking Ery-Tab as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

What are the side effects of Ery-Tab that I need to call my doctor about immediately?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Signs of liver problems like dark urine, feeling tired, not hungry, upset stomach or stomach pain, light-colored stools, throwing up, or yellow skin or eyes.
Signs of a very bad skin reaction (Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis) like red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin (with or without fever); red or irritated eyes; or sores in the mouth, throat, nose, or eyes.
Not able to pass urine or change in how much urine is passed.
Very bad dizziness or passing out.
A fast heartbeat.
A very bad and sometimes deadly type of heartbeat that is not normal (long QT on ECG) has happened with Ery-Tab. Some other drugs taken along with Ery-Tab may add to this effect. Get medical help right away if your heartbeat does not feel normal.
Diarrhea is common with antibiotics. Rarely, a severe form called C diff–associated diarrhea (CDAD) may happen. Sometimes, this has led to a deadly bowel problem (colitis). CDAD may happen during or a few months after taking antibiotics. Call your doctor right away if you have stomach pain, cramps, or very loose, watery, or bloody stools. Check with your doctor before treating diarrhea.
Hearing loss has rarely happened in people taking Ery-Tab. This most often goes back to normal. The chance may be higher if you have kidney problems or if you take high doses of Ery-Tab. Call your doctor right away if you have hearing problems like hearing loss.

What are some other side effects of Ery-Tab?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

Stomach pain or diarrhea.
Upset stomach or throwing up.
Not hungry.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If overdose is suspected:

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

How do I store and/or throw out Ery-Tab?

Store at room temperature.
Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.