When is Erythromycin Prescribed?
Can I get Erythromycin?
Check with your doctor to see if you qualify for Erythromycin
Erythromycin is one antibiotic that is well known among the population an frequently prescribed by doctors for the treatment of certain bacterial infections. It is also used as a preventive medicine. It is considered a safe medication that can be prescribed for even infants and pregnant women. However, E-Mycin cannot be given to patients in all bacterial infections, and surprisingly its prescription is even dependent upon the specific area of the country where the patient is residing. It is not to be given in viral infections as it is not effective in them at all. One form of erythromycin which is used to treat acne in teenagers is however not given to kids under the age of 12.
Though it is considered safe for people of all ages, erythromycin is not available as an over the counter drug and can be used only after it has been prescribed by a doctor. EryPed is available in pill form and it is also found as capsules. It can even be administered through an injection. There are ointment and topical crèmes containing this antibiotic.
Pneumonia and whooping cough are two respiratory tract infections that are treated using erythromycin. Other infections that are treated using erythromycin are diphtheria, skin infections, intestinal infections, PID (inflammation of pelvic area), syphilis etc. Rheumatic fever that is common with people afflicted with strep throat is also treated utilizing oral or erythromycin that is administered using injections. In fact, erythromycin is given for a long time to patients to prevent recurrence of attacks of rheumatic fever. What is interesting to note is that for all these bacterial infections, it is penicillin that is the first choice of the doctors. It is only when patients are found to be allergic to penicillin that doctors resort to erythromycin.
Eye infections are very common in all parts of the world and to treat various eye infections, either oral Ery-Tab or eye ointment containing erythromycin is prescribed to patients. This antibiotic can even be given to infants.
However, erythromycin is no panacea for all bacterial infections and even in the country there are specific regions where this antibiotic works while there are areas where other drugs are prescribed by doctors for the treatment of the same bacterial infections.
Erythromycin belongs to a group of antibiotics called macrolides that are known fro their ability to inhibit or slow down the growth of bacteria by reducing the secretion of proteins that are essential for bacteria to survive. The only drawback is that this drug also harms good or healthy bacteria, which is why it is prescribed with caution and not indiscriminately by doctors.
As the drug is considered safe for use of children, it is prescribed in oral and suspension form for the kids. Suspensions are ideal for small kids who cannot swallow tablets or pills.
There are many off-label uses of erythromycin that are not those discussed in this article. These are for treatment of medical conditions where not much research has been conducted regarding the efficacy of the drug.
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