E-Mycin 400mg (Erythromycin)

E-Mycin general information

What is E-Mycin used for?

E-mycin 400mg tablets are an antibiotic used to treat a variety of mild to moderate infections caused by certain susceptible types of bacteria in different areas of the body, including, respiratory tract infections like laryngitis, bronchitis and pharyngitis; skin, soft tissue, eye, ear and gastrointestinal infections; urinogenital infections, like gonorrhea and syphilis; and for specific infectious diseases like Legionnaire's disease. E-mycin 400mg tablets are also used to prevent infections of rheumatic fever in people with a history of rheumatic fever, and to prevent bacterial endocarditis in people with congenital heart disease, who are allergic to penicillin antibiotics.

How does E-Mycin work?

E-mycin 400mg tablets contain erythromycin, which is an antibiotic belonging to the macrolides group of antibiotics. Erythromycin in E-mycin 400mg tablets prevents the spread of bacterial infection by blocking bacterial protein synthesis so that the bacteria cannot produce proteins that are needed for its survival. This action stops the growth of the bacteria and relieves symptoms of the bacterial infection, which include inflammation and pain. E-mycin 400mg tablets do not work against viruses which use a different mechanism to grow and replicate.

What does E-Mycin contain?

E-mycin 400mg tablets contain the active ingredient erythromycin, as erythromycin ethyl succinate, an antibiotic used to treat and prevent a wide range of bacterial infections. They also contain calcium hydrogen phosphate, anhydrous, maize starch, sorbic acid, povidone, purified talc, sodium starch glycollate, magnesium stearate, Opadry Pink OY-B-34901 (contains the colours titanium dioxide and iron oxide red).

Treating bacterial infection with E-Mycin

E-mycin 400mg tablets contain erythromycin, a macrolides antibiotic used to treat a wide range of bacterial infections caused by various susceptible types of bacteria in different areas of the body, including, respiratory tract infections like laryngitis, bronchitis and pharyngitis; skin, soft tissue, eye, ear, gastrointestinal, and urinogenital infections; and for specific infectious diseases like Legionnaire's disease. E-mycin tablets 400mg are also used to prevent infections of rheumatic fever in people with a history of rheumatic fever; and to prevent bacterial endocarditis in people with congenital heart disease, who are allergic to penicillin antibiotics. Erythromycin in E-mycin 400mg tablets prevents the spread of bacterial infection by blocking bacterial protein synthesis so that the bacteria cannot produce proteins that are needed for its survival. This action stops the growth of the bacteria and relieves symptoms of the bacterial infection, which include inflammation and pain.

What are the side effects of E-Mycin?

The most common reported side effects when taking E-mycin tablets 400mg are gastrointestinal tract symptoms which are generally mild and include: diarrhoea, nausea, cramping abdominal pain and flatulence. Vomiting headache and dizziness may also occur as well as oral thrush (white, furry, sore tongue and mouth) and vaginal thrush (sore and itchy vagina, vaginal discharge). Other more serious side effects are less common and may include: severe stomach cramps, dizziness, liver problems, fast, irregular or pounding heart beat, allergic reactions.

When should E-Mycin not be used?

You should not use E-Mycin if you:

• are allergic to erythromycin, any other macrolide or ketolide antibiotic or any of the ingredients in E-mycin tablets 400mg
• are pregnant, plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have liver, kidney or heart disease
• are taking other medications that inteact with E-Mycin, including, theophylline for respiratory disease, cyclosporin, used to suppress the immune system, cardiac glycosides like digoxin, antacids for indigestion, anticoagulants such as coumarin and warfarin, ergot derivatives such as ergotamine for migraines, zidovudine for HIV, anticonvulsants like carbamazepine and phenytoin, sildenafil for erectile dysfunction, anti-cholesterol medications like simvastatin, benzodiazepines for sleep problems, bromocriptine for Parkinson's Disease

What medications interact with E-mycin?

Several medications interact with E-mycin and should either not be taken while you are taking E-mycin or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that decrease effectiveness of E-mycin:
theophylline for respiratory disease

• Drugs that are affected by E-mycin:
cyclosporin, used to suppress the immune system, digoxin for heart failure, ritonavir for HIV, anticoagulants such as coumarin and warfarin, ergot derivatives such as ergotamine for migraines, benzodiazepines for sleep problems, sildenafil for erectile dysfunction, anticonvulsants like carbamazepine and phenytoin, bromocriptine for Parkinson's Disease

How should E-Mycin be taken?

You should take your E-mycin tablets 400mg with a glass of water with or without food. The dose you take and how often, depends on what you are being treated for and your doctor’s recommendations, which is usually 1 tablet every 6 hours for up to 14 days, but may be increased for severe infection.

How long should you take E-Mycin?

You should take your E-mycin tablets 400mg for as long as recommended by your doctor which will depend on what you are being treated for.

Missed dose of E-Mycin

If you miss a dose of E-mycin tablets 400mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose.

How should E-Mycin be stored?

You should store your E-mycin tablets 400mg below 25°C in a cool dry place out of direct sunlight.