Side effects
Erythromycin is well tolerated, but side effects may occur in some cases. Here would be to mention: Complaints of the gastrointestinal tract, liver damage with an increase in liver values in the blood count, possibly a resulting icterus (yellowing of the skin and eyes), hearing disorders, which disappear again after discontinuation of the drug. When administered via the venous blood system by infusion, care should be taken that erythromycin in liquid form can cause venous irritation with resulting phlebitis.
Interactions
Macrolides inhibit an enzyme in the liver that affects the breakdown of other drugs. This means that when drugs are administered in parallel, they are broken down more slowly and their concentration in the body increases. A prerequisite is that these drugs are broken down by the enzyme cytochrome P 450. The following drugs should be mentioned here: terfenadine, pentamidine, quinidine, lovastatine, simvastatine, atovarstatine, ciclospoprine A, tacrolism, digoxin, theophilline, triazolam, midazolam, dihydroergotamine, clozapine. All drugs that treat cardiac arrhythmias (antiarrhythmics), neuroleptics (for seizures), drugs that cause increased potassium accumulation (loop diuretics, thiazides, laxatives) and combined antibiotic preparations such as clindamycin and lincomycin, oral contraceptives (pill) and blood-thinning drugs (anticoagulants) should only be given together with erythromycin after careful consideration.
Contraindications
Erythromycin should not be given to patients who already have a known liver disease or allergy.
