erythromycin [Ophthalmic]

Adult Dosing

Superficial ocular infections

Apply 1 cm ribbon into lower conjunctival or infected structure up to 6 times/day x 7-10 days, depending on severity of infection

Pediatric Dosing

Superficial ocular infections

Apply 1 cm ribbon into lower conjunctival sac or infected structure up to 6 times/day x 7-10 days, depending on severity of infection

Ophthalmia neonatorum; prophylaxis

Instill 1 cm ribbon of ointment into the lower conjunctival sac of each eye

Note: Do not flush after instillation and use a new tube for each infant

Indications ⬆ ⬇

Treatment of superficial ocular infections caused by strains of susceptible organism
Prophylaxis of ophthalmia neonatorum

Contraindications ⬆ ⬇

Hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients of the product

Black Box Warnings ⬆ ⬇

Dosing Adjustment ⬆ ⬇

Renal Dose Adjustment

Renal impairment: No dose adjustments

Hepatic dose adjustment

Hepatic impairment: No dose adjustments

Warnings/Precautions ⬆ ⬇

Overgrowth of non-susceptible organisms including fungi may occur with use of antimicrobial agents, stop administration and institute appropriate therapy
To prevent contamination, do not touch the container tip to any surface, including the eye
Use new tube for each infant and don't flush after instillation
It can cause mild ocular irritations, redness and hypersensitivity reactions

Pregnancy/Breast Feeding ⬆ ⬇

Pregnancy Category:B

Breastfeeding: Probably safe. Minimal systemic absorption; maternal use of ophthalmic erythromycin is unlikely to affect the breastfed infant. Monitor the infant for irritability and possible effects on the gastrointestinal flora. This information is based upon LactMed database (available at http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?LACT last accessed 17 February 2011). Manufacturer advises caution.

Adverse Reactions ⬆ ⬇

EENT: Ocular irritation, redness
MISC: Hypersensitivity reactions

Clinical Pharmacology ⬆ ⬇

Macrolide; inhibits protein synthesis by binding 50S ribosomal subunits of susceptible organisms
Metabolism: Unknown
Excretion: Unknown
Half-life: Unknown

Brands and Availability ⬆ ⬇

US Trade Name(s)

Only generic available

US Availability

erythromycin (generic)

OINT: 5 mg/g

Canadian Trade Name(s)

Ak Mycin
Diomycin
Onguent ophtalmique D'erythromycine

Canadian Availability

erythromycin (generic)

OINT: 5 mg/g

Ak Mycin

OINT: 5 mg/g

Diomycin

OINT: 5 mg/g

Onguent ophtalmique D'erythromycine

OINT: 5 mg/g

UK Trade Name(s)

UK Availability

Australian Trade Name(s)

Australian Availability

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Use and Dosing ⬇