Erythromycin Estol 500 mg Tablet

Erythromycin Estol 500 mg Tablet is a prescription antibiotic tablet that contains 500 mg of erythromycin in each tablet. It belongs to the macrolide class of antibiotics and is used to treat certain bacterial infections, not viral illnesses like colds or flu. A doctor may prescribe Erythromycin Estol 500 mg Tablet for infections involving the skin, lungs, throat, or other areas when the bacteria are expected to respond to erythromycin. This 500 mg tablet is a higher-strength adult tablet, so it should be used only when a clinician has decided this strength is appropriate for the infection being treated.

How it works: Erythromycin works by stopping bacteria from making the proteins they need to grow and multiply. In tablet form, Erythromycin Estol 500 mg Tablet is swallowed and absorbed so it can reach the infection site through the bloodstream.

Erythromycin Estol 500 mg Tablet provides 500 mg in one tablet, which is a relatively high strength compared with lower-dose erythromycin products that may require more tablets per dose. Because each tablet contains a full 500 mg dose, it can be more convenient for adults who have been specifically prescribed this strength, but it is not meant for self-adjusting or starting treatment without medical guidance. Your doctor may choose Erythromycin Estol 500 mg Tablet when a higher per-dose amount is needed for the prescribed regimen.

• Certain bacterial respiratory infections
• Skin and soft tissue infections
• Throat infections caused by susceptible bacteria
• Other infections caused by erythromycin-sensitive bacteria

• Swallow Erythromycin Estol 500 mg Tablet with a full glass of water unless your prescriber gives different directions.
• Take it exactly at the times prescribed; spacing doses evenly helps keep antibiotic levels steady.
• If your doctor instructs you to take it on an empty stomach, do so as directed because food may affect absorption for some people.
• Finish the full course even if you start feeling better, unless your clinician tells you to stop.
• Do not crush or split the tablet unless your pharmacist or prescriber says it is safe for your exact tablet.
• If you miss a dose, take it when you remember unless it is almost time for the next dose; do not double up.

Each Erythromycin Estol 500 mg Tablet contains 500 mg of erythromycin per tablet. How many tablets you take and how often you take them depends on the type and severity of the infection, your age, and your doctor’s instructions; in some regimens it may be taken multiple times per day, but the exact schedule must be individualized. Do not increase the number of tablets or the total daily amount on your own, because the prescriber determines the right dose and maximum daily amount for your situation.

Do not change your dose or stop the medicine without speaking to your doctor.

Common side effects of Erythromycin may include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Stomach pain or cramping
• Loss of appetite
• Unpleasant taste or burping
• At this 500 mg strength, stomach upset may feel more noticeable in some people

• Tell your doctor if you have a history of liver disease, heart rhythm problems, or prolonged QT interval.
• This higher-strength tablet should be used only as prescribed; do not share it with anyone else.
• Let your prescriber know about all medicines you take because erythromycin can interact with many drugs.
• Avoid alcohol if it worsens stomach upset or if your clinician advises against it.
• Use caution when driving or doing tasks that require alertness if you feel dizzy or unwell.
• Contact your doctor if you develop severe diarrhea or signs of an allergic reaction.
• Follow the prescribed timing carefully, since missed or uneven doses can reduce effectiveness.

• Statins such as simvastatin or lovastatin
• Warfarin and other blood thinners
• Certain heart rhythm medicines that can prolong the QT interval
• Some seizure medicines and other antibiotics
• Drugs that are metabolized by CYP3A4, which erythromycin can affect

Store Erythromycin Estol 500 mg Tablet in its original strip/box at room temperature, away from moisture, heat, and direct light.