Ery (Topical)

Erythromycin is an antibiotic. Erythromycin topical preparations are applied to the skin to help manage acne. They can be used by themselves or with other medicines that are applied to the skin or taken by mouth for acne. They may also be used for other issues, like skin infections, based on your doctor's recommendation.

Erythromycin is available only with your doctor's prescription.

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 up to 8 to 12 weeks to see full improvement from acne treatment.

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

• If your doctor has prescribed another medicine to apply to the skin with this medicine, wait at least 1 hour before applying the second medicine. This may help prevent your skin from becoming too irritated. If the medicines are used too closely together, they might not work properly.
• After applying this medicine to your skin, you might feel mild stinging or burning, which can last for a few minutes or longer.
• This medicine may also make your skin unusually dry, even with normal 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, ask your doctor.

In deciding to use a medicine, you and your doctor need to consider the risks against the benefits. Here are some things to think about for this medicine:

Allergies

Inform your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reactions to this medicine or any other medications. Also, let your healthcare professional know about any other allergies you have, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. If you are using non-prescription products, carefully read the label or package ingredients.

Pediatric

Erythromycin topical solution has been tested in children aged 12 years and older. At effective doses, it has not shown different side effects or issues compared to adults.

Geriatric

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

Breast Feeding

Research in women indicates that this medication presents 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 might be used together even if an interaction could happen. In these situations, your doctor may need to adjust the dose or take other precautions. It is especially important for your healthcare professional to know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below while using this medicine. The following interactions are noteworthy and may not include all possible interactions.

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, your doctor may change the dose or frequency for one or both medicines.

• Clindamycin
• Warfarin

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be taken at or around meal times, or with specific types of food, because interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain 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 can also cause some unwanted effects. Not all of these side effects will happen, but if they do, they might need medical attention.

Some side effects may happen that usually do not require medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body gets used to the medicine. Your health care professional may also have ways to help prevent or lessen 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 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, consult 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.