Erythromycin Uses

Erythromycin is used to treat bacterial infections, including lower respiratory tract infections, Legionnaires disease, diphtheria, pertussis, listeria, sexually transmitted infections, intestinal infections, ear infections, gynecological infections, urinary tract infections, and skin infections. It is also used for the prevention of recurrent rheumatic fever. This antibiotic is sometimes given to prevent heart infections in people with heart valve disease who are undergoing dental procedures.

There may be other uses of erythromycin—your pharmacist or doctor can give you further drug information.

Erythromycin Mechanism of Action

Erythromycin works by inhibiting protein synthesis by bacteria, which stops the bacteria from growing.

Erythromycin Doses

The usual dose of oral erythromycin is 250 mg every 6 hours or 500 mg every 12 hours in adults. Doses of up to 4 grams per day can be used to treat severe infections. In children, the erythromycin dosage is based on the child’s body weight. The usual dose is 30-50 mg/kg per day in divided doses.