Emcin (Topical)

Erythromycin is an antibiotic. Erythromycin topical preparations are applied to the skin to help manage acne. They can be used by themselves or along with other medicines that are either applied to the skin or taken by mouth for acne. They can also be used for other issues, like skin infections, as decided by your doctor.

Erythromycin is available only with a prescription from your doctor.

If your acne does not get better in 3 to 4 weeks, or if it gets worse, contact your health care professional. However, it may take 8 to 12 weeks of treatment before you see full improvement.

For patients using the pledget (swab), topical gel, or topical liquid form of erythromycin:

• If your doctor has prescribed another medicine to use on the skin with this medicine, wait at least 1 hour before applying the second medicine. This can help prevent your skin from getting too irritated. Also, using the medicines too close together may reduce their effectiveness.
• After applying this medicine to your skin, you might feel mild stinging or burning, which can last a few minutes or longer.
• This medicine may cause your skin to become unusually dry, even with regular use. If this happens, talk to your doctor.
• You can continue to use cosmetics (make-up) while using this medicine for acne. However, it is best to use only “water-base” cosmetics. Also, avoid using cosmetics too heavily or too often, as they may worsen your acne. If you have any questions about this, consult your doctor.

In deciding to use a medicine, you need to consider the risks of taking it against the benefits it may provide. This is a decision you will make together with your doctor. For this medicine, consider the following:

Allergies

Inform your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, tell your healthcare professional about any other allergies you have, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, carefully read the label or package ingredients.

Pediatric

Erythromycin topical solution has been tested in children 12 years and older and, at effective doses, has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems compared to adults.

Geriatric

Many medicines have not been specifically studied in older people. Therefore, it may be unclear if they work the same way in older adults as they do in younger adults. While there is no specific information comparing the use of topical erythromycin in older people with other age groups, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older adults compared to younger adults.

Breast Feeding

Studies in women suggest that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should not be used together at all, while in other cases, two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these situations, your doctor may adjust the dose or take other precautions. When taking this medicine, it is very important that your healthcare professional knows if you are taking any of the following medicines. The interactions listed below have been selected for their potential significance and are not a complete list.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be necessary in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may adjust the dose or how often you use one or both medicines.

• Clindamycin
• Warfarin

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used around mealtime or with certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with some medicines may also lead to interactions. Talk to your healthcare professional about using your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Along with its necessary effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Not all of these side effects may occur, but if they do, they may need medical attention.

Some side effects may happen that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Your health care professional may also be able to tell you how to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue, are bothersome, or if you have any questions about them:

For erythromycin ointment

Less common

• Peeling
• redness

For erythromycin pledget (swab), topical gel, or topical liquid form

More common

• Dry or scaly skin
• irritation
• itching
• stinging or burning feeling

Less common

• Peeling
• redness

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In the U.S.

• A/T/S
• Akne-Mycin
• Emcin
• Emgel
• Ery
• Erycette
• Eryderm
• Erygel
• Theramycin Z

In Canada

• Sans-Acne
• Staticin

Available Dosage Forms:

• Solution
• Gel/Jelly
• Pad
• Powder

Therapeutic Class: Antiacne

Chemical Class: Macrolide

Before applying this medicine, thoroughly wash the affected area with warm water and soap, rinse well, and pat dry. After washing or shaving, it is best to wait 30 minutes before applying the pledget (swab), topical gel, or topical liquid form. The alcohol in them may irritate freshly washed or shaved skin.

For patients using the pledget (swab), topical gel, or topical liquid form of erythromycin:

• These forms contain alcohol and are flammable. Do not use near heat, near open flame, or while smoking.
• It is important that you do not use this medicine more often than your doctor ordered. It may cause your skin to become too dry or irritated.
• Also, you should avoid washing the acne-affected areas too often. This may dry your skin and make your acne worse. Washing with a mild, bland soap 2 or 3 times a day should be enough, unless you have oily skin. If you have any questions about this, check with your doctor.
• To use: The topical liquid form of this medicine may come in a bottle with an applicator tip, which may be used to apply the medicine directly to the skin. Use the applicator with a dabbing motion instead of a rolling motion (not like a roll-on deodorant, for example). If the medicine does not come in an applicator bottle, you may moisten a pad with the medicine and then rub the pad over the whole affected area. Or you may also apply this medicine with your fingertips. Be sure to wash the medicine off your hands afterward. Apply a thin film of medicine, using enough to cover the affected area lightly. You should apply the medicine to the whole area usually affected by acne, not just to the pimples themselves. This will help keep new pimples from breaking out. The pledget (swab) form should be rubbed over the whole affected area. You may use extra pledgets (swabs), if needed, to cover larger areas. Since these medicines contain alcohol, they may sting or burn. Therefore, do not get these medicines in the eyes, nose, mouth, or on other mucous membranes. Spread the medicine away from these areas when applying. If these medicines do get in the eyes, wash them out immediately, but carefully, with large amounts of cool tap water. If your eyes still burn or are painful, check with your doctor.

This medicine will not cure your acne. However, to help keep your acne under control, keep using this medicine for the full time of treatment, even if your symptoms begin to clear up after a few days. You may have to continue using this medicine every day for months or even longer in some cases. If you stop using this medicine too soon, your symptoms may return. It is important that you do not miss any doses.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For acne: For gel dosage form: Adults—Apply to the affected area(s) of the skin two times a day, morning and evening. Children—Dose must be determined by your doctor. For ointment dosage form: Adults, teenagers, and children—Apply to the affected area(s) of the skin two times a day, morning and evening. For pledgets dosage form: Adults, teenagers, and children—Apply to the affected area(s) of the skin two times a day. For topical solution dosage form: Adults, teenagers, and children 12 years of age and over—Apply to the affected area(s) of the skin two times a day, morning and evening. Children up to 12 years of age—Dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.