Erythromycin Ethylsuccinate 200 mg/5mL Granule, For Suspension, 200 mL
🆔 Identity & classification
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🏷️ RxNorm drug class
This medicine belongs to the Macrolide class.
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🏭 Manufacturer & labeler
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🩺 Clinical
Erythromycin is used to treat certain infection caused by bacteria including infections of the ears, lungs, sinuses, skin, throat, and reproductive organs. Erythromycin is in a class of medications called macrolide antibiotics. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria. Antibiotics such as erythromycin will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections. Taking antibiotics when they are not needed increases your risk of getting an infection later that resists antibiotic treatment.
Read the full MedlinePlus article ↗- Erythromycin treats a pretty wide range of bacterial infections. That includes respiratory infections like bronchitis and pneumonia, skin infections, whooping cough, Legionnaires'...
- What kinds of infections does erythromycin treat?
- It depends on the form you have. If you're taking ERY-TAB delayed-release tablets, they work best on an empty stomach — ideally about 2 hours before a meal, though taking them with...
- Can I take this on an empty stomach, or do I need food?
Patient education
Supplement & herbal interactions
Some supplements/herbs that may interact with Erythromycin Ethylsuccinate — tap one for details:
Erythromycin Ethylsuccinate may be associated with lower levels of 7 nutrients — worth a chat with your pharmacist, not a cause for alarm.
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Ask a licensed pharmacist directly — free, answered by our team.
💊 What it looks like
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🧪 Inactive Ingredients / Excipients
Inactive ingredients, also called excipients, are components of the drug product other than the active ingredient. They may include fillers, dyes, coatings, preservatives, flavors, or other formulation ingredients.
💡 Tap an ingredient (hover on desktop) to see what it is and why it’s used.
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UNII 3SY5LH9PMK
Anhydrous lactose is a milk sugar with no water content. It acts as a filler and binder in tablets and capsules, adding bulk and helping ingredients stick together.
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UNII RS7A450LGA
A sodium salt derived from citric acid that helps regulate acidity and maintain pH balance in the medicine. It also works as a binding agent to hold tablet ingredients together.
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UNII 92RU3N3Y1O
Dimethicone is a silicone-based oil that acts as an anti-foaming agent and lubricant in medicines. It reduces gas bubbles in liquid formulations and helps coat and protect the stomach lining when ingested.
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UNII A2I8C7HI9T
Methylparaben is a preservative derived from benzoic acid that prevents growth of bacteria, fungi, and mold in medicines. It extends the product's shelf life and maintains safety during storage.
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UNII 6OZP39ZG8H
Polysorbate 80 is a synthetic emulsifier derived from sorbitol and oleic acid. It helps mix oil and water-based ingredients together in medications and improves how the product disperses in the body.
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UNII U725QWY32X
Povidone K30 is a synthetic polymer made from petroleum. It acts as a binder to hold tablet ingredients together and as a disintegrant to help the tablet break apart in the stomach so the medicine can be absorbed.
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UNII ETJ7Z6XBU4
Silicon dioxide is a naturally occurring mineral used as a glidant and anti-caking agent. It helps powder ingredients flow smoothly and prevents clumping during manufacturing and storage.
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UNII C151H8M554
A natural sugar derived from sugar cane or sugar beets. It's used as a sweetener, filler, and binder to improve taste, add bulk, and help hold tablet or capsule ingredients together.
8 inactive ingredients listed in the exact product block matched to this NDC.
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ingredient classCode="IACT" elements from the exact product block matched by this NDC. Label-section narrative from DailyMed / the openFDA label index is shown separately when available.Inactive ingredient FAQ
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💲 Pricing
A drug doesn't have one price. Each row is a different public payment system, and none is what you'd pay at the counter — that depends on your insurance. The ⓘ on each row explains what it measures.
| Price system | Per mL | Per package |
|---|---|---|
| Retail pharmacies payNADAC · weekly | $1.531 | $306.10 / 200 ml |
| Medicaid paysCMS SDUD · 12 mo | $1.27 | $254.16 / 200 ml |
| Medicare drug plans payPart D · Q2 2026 | $1.50 | $299.06 / 200 ml |
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🔁 Therapeutic equivalents
| Product | Labeler | Pack | NADAC/unit | TE | Status | Price vs. this |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erythromycin Ethylsuccinate 200 mg/5mL 52536-0132-13 | Wilshire | 100 ml | $0.914 | AB | Availability likely | save 40% |
| Erythromycin Ethylsuccinate 200 mg/5mL 52536-0134-13 | Wilshire | 100 ml | $0.914 | AB | Availability likely | save 40% |
| Erythromycin Ethylsuccinate 200 mg/5mL 60219-1503-01 | Amneal | 100 ml | $0.914 | AB | Availability likely | save 40% |
| Erythromycin Ethylsuccinate 200 mg/5mL 62559-0630-01 | ANI | 100 ml | $0.914 | AB | Availability likely | save 40% |
| Erythromycin Ethylsuccinate 200 mg/5mL 69238-1503-01 | Amneal | 100 ml | $0.914 | AB | Availability likely | save 40% |
| Erythromycin Ethylsuccinate 200 mg/5mL 75834-0295-01 | Nivagen | 100 ml | $0.914 | AB | Availability likely | save 40% |
| Erythromycin Ethylsuccinate 200 mg/5mL 52536-0136-13 | Wilshire | 200 ml | $1.531 | AB | Availability likely | — |
| Erythromycin Ethylsuccinate 200 mg/5mLthis 62559-0440-02 | ANI | 200 ml | $1.531 | AB | Availability likely | — |
| Ery-Ped 200 mg/5mL 24338-0132-13 | Azurity | 100 ml | — | AB | FDA listed | — |
| E.e.s 200 mg/5mL 24338-0134-02 | Azurity | 100 ml | — | AB | FDA listed | — |
| E.e.s 200 mg/5mL 24338-0136-10 | Azurity | 200 ml | — | AB | FDA listed | — |
| Erythromycin ethylsuccinate 200 mg/5mL 71209-0102-21 | Cadila | 100 ml | — | AB | FDA listed | — |
| Erythromycin ethylsuccinate 200 mg/5mL 72162-2657-01 | Bryant | 100 ml | — | AB | FDA listed | — |
| E.e.s 200 mg/5mL 80005-0152-18 | Carnegie | 100 ml | — | AB | Discontinued | — |
| E.e.s 200 mg/5mL 80005-0153-34 | Carnegie | 200 ml | — | AB | Discontinued | — |
| Erythromycin ethylsuccinate 200 mg/5mL 85742-0029-28 | Kanchan | 100 ml | — | AB | FDA listed | — |
Where does this data come from?
⏳ Availability & generic status
This product is an FDA-approved generic. Other versions of the same drug are listed under Therapeutic equivalents, least expensive first.
Where does this data come from?
🗺️ Medicaid utilization & spend
💊 Medicaid utilization by pack size
📊 Medicare Part D spend CMS · PART D · 2026 (Q1)
🔬 Reported adverse events (FAERS)
Top reported reactions
Age at onset
Reporter sex
Serious outcomes
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📦 Packaging — all sizes for this product
| Package NDC | Description | Per unit | Per pack | Marketing start | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 62559-0440-01 | 100 mL in 1 BOTTLE (62559-440-01) | $1.98 / mL | $197.69 | 2016-09-27 | Discontinued by firm |
| 62559-0440-02 You're viewing this | 200 mL in 1 BOTTLE (62559-440-02) | $1.53 / mL | $306.10 | 2016-09-27 | Active |
You're viewing the largest of 2 pack sizes for this product.
This pack has the lowest per-mL cost of the 2 priced pack sizes ($1.53 NADAC).
In Medicaid, this is the most-dispensed pack of this product — about 100% of fills over the last four reported quarters. See all packs ↓
Pack size FAQ
What quantity is in NDC 62559-0440-02?
What is the difference between NDC 62559-0440-02 and NDC 62559-0440-01?
What NDC number is used to bill for this package of Erythromycin Ethylsuccinate 200 mg/5mL Granule, For Suspension?
Prices are the latest CMS NADAC pharmacy acquisition cost per NDC; per-pack figures are per-unit × pack quantity, shown only when the pack is denominated in the same measure NADAC prices.
📄 Full prescribing information FDA SPL
🎯 Indications and Usage ▾
INDICATIONS AND USAGE To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of erythromycin ethylsuccinate and other antibacterial drugs, erythromycin ethylsuccinate should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria. When culture and susceptibility information are available, they should be considered in selecting or modifying antibacterial therapy. In the absence of such data, local epidemiology and susceptibility patterns may contribute to the empiric selection of therapy.
Erythromycin ethylsuccinate for oral suspension USP is indicated in the treatment of infections caused by susceptible strains of the designated organisms in the diseases listed below: Upper respiratory tract infections of mild to moderate degree caused by Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus pneumoniae, or Haemophilus influenzae (when used concomitantly with adequate doses of sulfonamides, since many strains of H. influenzae are not susceptible to the erythromycin concentrations ordinarily achieved). (See appropriate sulfonamide labeling for prescribing information.) Lower-respiratory tract infections of mild to moderate severity caused by Streptococcus pneumonia or Streptococcus pyogenes .
Listeriosis caused by Listeria monocytogenes . Pertussis (whooping cough) caused by Bordetella pertussis . Erythromycin is effective in eliminating the organism from the nasopharynx of infected individuals rendering them noninfectious.
Some clinical studies suggest that erythromycin may be helpful in the prophylaxis of pertussis in exposed susceptible individuals. Respiratory tract infections due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae . Skin and skin structure infections of mild to moderate severity caused by Streptococcus pyogenes or Staphylococcus aureus (resistant staphylococci may emerge during treatment).
Diphtheria: Infections due to Corynebacterium diphtheriae , as an adjunct to antitoxin, to prevent establishment of carriers and to eradicate the organism in carriers. Erythrasma: In the treatment of infections due to Corynebacterium minutissimum . Intestinal amebiasis caused by Entamoeba histolytica (oral erythromycins only).
Extraenteric amebiasis requires treatment with other agents. Acute pelvic inflammatory disease caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae : As an alternative drug in treatment of acute pelvic inflammatory disease caused by N. gonorrhoeae in female patients with a history of sensitivity to penicillin. Patients should have a serologic test for syphilis before receiving erythromycin as treatment of gonorrhea and a follow-up serologic test for syphilis after 3 months.
Syphilis caused by Treponema pallidum : Erythromycin is an alternate choice of treatment for primary syphilis in patients allergic to the penicillins. In treatment of primary syphilis, spinal fluid examinations should be done before treatment and as part of follow-up after therapy. Erythromycins are indicated for the treatment of the following infections caused by Chlamydia trachomatis : conjunctivitis of the newborn, pneumonia of infancy, and urogenital infections during pregnancy.
When tetracyclines are contraindicated or not tolerated, erythromycin is indicated for the treatment of uncomplicated urethral, endocervical, or rectal infections in adults due to Chlamydia trachomatis . When tetracyclines are contraindicated or not tolerated, erythromycin is indicated for the treatment of nongonococcal urethritis caused by Ureaplasma urealyticum . Legionnaires' Disease caused by Legionella pneumophila .
Although no controlled clinical efficacy studies have been conducted, in vitro and limited preliminary clinical data suggest that erythromycin may be effective in treating Legionnaires' Disease. Prophylaxis Prevention of Initial Attacks of Rheumatic Fever Penicillin is considered by the American Heart Association to be the drug of choice in the prevention of initial attacks of rheumatic fever (treatment of…
⏱️ Dosage and Administration ▾
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Erythromycin ethylsuccinate suspension may be administered without regard to meals. Children Age, weight, and severity of the infection are important factors in determining the proper dosage. In mild to moderate infections the usual dosage of erythromycin ethylsuccinate for children is 30 to 50 mg/kg/day in equally divided doses every 6 hours.
For more severe infections this dosage may be doubled. If twice-a-day dosage is desired, one-half of the total daily dose may be given every 12 hours. Doses may also be given three times daily by administering one-third of the total daily dose every 8 hours.
The following dosage schedule is suggested for mild to moderate infections: Body Weight Total Daily Dose Under 10 lbs 30 to 50 mg/kg/day 15 to 25 mg/lb/day 10 to 15 lbs 200 mg 16 to 25 lbs 400 mg 26 to 50 lbs 800 mg 51 to 100 lbs 1200 mg over 100 lbs 1600 mg Adults 400 mg erythromycin ethylsuccinate every 6 hours is the usual dose. Dosage may be increased up to 4 g per day according to the severity of the infection. If twice-a-day dosage is desired, one-half of the total daily dose may be given every 12 hours.
Doses may also be given three times daily by administering one-third of the total daily dose every 8 hours. For adult dosage calculation, use a ratio of 400 mg of erythromycin activity as the ethylsuccinate to 250 mg of erythromycin activity as the stearate, base or estolate. In the treatment of streptococcal infections, a therapeutic dosage of erythromycin ethylsuccinate should be administered for at least 10 days.
In continuous prophylaxis against recurrences of streptococcal infections in persons with a history of rheumatic heart disease, the usual dosage is 400 mg twice a day. For Treatment of Urethritis Due to C. trachomatis or U. urealyticum 800 mg three times a day for 7 days. For Treatment of Primary Syphilis Adults: 48 to 64 g given in divided doses over a period of 10 to 15 days.
For Intestinal Amebiasis Adults: 400 mg four times daily for 10 to 14 days. Children: 30 to 50 mg/kg/day in divided doses for 10 to 14 days. For Use in Pertussis Although optimal dosage and duration have not been established, doses of erythromycin utilized in reported clinical studies were 40 to 50 mg/kg/day, given in divided doses for 5 to 14 days.
For Treatment of Legionnaires' Disease Although optimal doses have not been established, doses utilized in reported clinical data were those recommended above (1.6 to 4 g daily in divided doses.) Directions for Mixing Erythromycin Ethylsuccinate for Oral Suspension 100 mL Add 70 mL water and shake vigorously. This makes 100 mL of suspension. 200 mL Add 140 mL water and shake vigorously.
This makes 200 mL of suspension.
⛔ Contraindications ▾
CONTRAINDICATIONS Erythromycin is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to this antibiotic. Erythromycin is contraindicated in patients taking terfenadine, astemizole, pimozide, or cisapride. (See PRECAUTIONS - Drug Interactions .) Do not use erythromycin concomitantly with HMG CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) that are extensively metabolized by CYP 3A4 (lovastatin or simvastatin), due to the increased risk of myopathy, including rhabdomyolysis.
⚠️ Warnings ▾
WARNINGS Hepatotoxicity There have been reports of hepatic dysfunction, including increased liver enzymes, and hepatocellular and/or cholestatic hepatitis, with or without jaundice, occurring in patients receiving oral erythromycin products. QT Prolongation Erythromycin has been associated with prolongation of the QT interval and infrequent cases of arrhythmia. Cases of torsades de pointes have been spontaneously reported during postmarketing surveillance in patients receiving erythromycin.
Fatalities have been reported. Erythromycin should be avoided in patients with known prolongation of the QT interval, patients with ongoing proarrhythmic conditions such as uncorrected hypokalemia or hypomagnesemia, clinically significant bradycardia, and in patients receiving Class IA (quinidine, procainamide) or Class III (dofetilide, amiodarone, sotalol) antiarrhythmic agents. Elderly patients may be more susceptible to drug-associated effects on the QT interval.
Syphilis in Pregnancy There have been reports suggesting that erythromycin does not reach the fetus in adequate concentration to prevent congenital syphilis. Infants born to women treated during pregnancy with oral erythromycin for early syphilis should be treated with an appropriate penicillin regimen. Clostridium difficile Associated Diarrhea Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea (CDAD) has been reported with use of nearly all antibacterial agents, including erythromycin ethylsuccinate, and may range in severity from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis.
Treatment with antibacterial agents alters the normal flora of the colon leading to overgrowth of C. difficile . C. difficile produces toxins A and B which contribute to the development of CDAD. Hypertoxin producing strains of C. difficile cause increased morbidity and mortality, as these infections can be refractory to antimicrobial therapy and may require colectomy.
CDAD must be considered in all patients who present with diarrhea following antibiotic use. Careful medical history is necessary since CDAD has been reported to occur over two months after the administration of antibacterial agents. If CDAD is suspected or confirmed, ongoing antibiotic use not directed against C. difficile may need to be discontinued.
Appropriate fluid and electrolyte management, protein supplementation, antibiotic treatment of C. difficile , and surgical evaluation should be instituted as clinically indicated. Drug Interactions Serious adverse reactions have been reported in patients taking erythromycin concomitantly with CYP3A4 substrates. These include colchicine toxicity with colchicine; rhabdomyolysis with simvastatin, lovastatin, and atorvastatin; and hypotension with calcium channel blockers metabolized by CYP3A4 (e.g., verapamil, amlodipine, diltiazem) (see PRECAUTIONS - Drug Interactions ).
There have been post-marketing reports of colchicine toxicity with concomitant use of erythromycin and colchicine. This interaction is potentially life-threatening, and may occur while using both drugs at their recommended doses (see PRECAUTIONS - Drug Interactions ). Rhabdomyolysis with or without renal impairment has been reported in seriously ill patients receiving erythromycin concomitantly with lovastatin.
Therefore, patients receiving concomitant lovastatin and erythromycin should be carefully monitored for creatine kinase (CK) and serum transaminase levels. (See package insert for lovastatin.)
🤒 Adverse Reactions ▾
ADVERSE REACTIONS The most frequent side effects of oral erythromycin preparations are gastrointestinal and are dose-related. They include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea and anorexia. Symptoms of hepatitis, hepatic dysfunction and/or abnormal liver function test results may occur.
(See WARNINGS section.) Onset of pseudomembranous colitis symptoms may occur during or after antibacterial treatment. (See WARNINGS section.) Erythromycin has been associated with QT prolongation and ventricular arrhythmias, including ventricular tachycardia and torsades de pointes. (See WARNINGS .) Allergic reactions ranging from urticaria to anaphylaxis have occurred.
Skin reactions ranging from mild eruptions to erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and toxic epidermal necrolysis have been reported rarely. There have been reports of interstitial nephritis coincident with erythromycin use. There have been rare reports of pancreatitis and convulsions.
There have been isolated reports of reversible hearing loss occurring chiefly in patients with renal insufficiency and in patients receiving high doses of erythromycin. To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact ANI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. at 1-855-204-1431 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
🔄 Drug Interactions ▾
Drug Interactions Theophylline Erythromycin use in patients who are receiving high doses of theophylline may be associated with an increase in serum theophylline levels and potential theophylline toxicity. In case of theophylline toxicity and/or elevated serum theophylline levels, the dose of theophylline should be reduced while the patient is receiving concomitant erythromycin therapy. There have been published reports suggesting that when oral erythromycin is given concurrently with theophylline there is a decrease in erythromycin serum concentrations of approximately 35%.
The mechanism by which this interaction occurs is unknown. The decrease in erythromycin concentrations due to co-administration of theophylline could result in subtherapeutic concentrations of erythromycin. Verapamil Hypotension, bradyarrhythmias, and lactic acidosis have been observed in patients receiving concurrent verapamil, belonging to the calcium channel blockers drug class.
Digoxin Concomitant administration of erythromycin and digoxin has been reported to result in elevated digoxin serum levels. Anticoagulants There have been reports of increased anticoagulant effects when erythromycin and oral anticoagulants were used concomitantly. Increased anticoagulation effects due to interactions of erythromycin with various oral anticoagulants may be more pronounced in the elderly.
Erythromycin is a substrate and inhibitor of the 3A isoform subfamily of the cytochrome p450 enzyme system (CYP3A). Coadministration of erythromycin and a drug primarily metabolized by CYP3A may be associated with elevations in drug concentrations that could increase or prolong both the therapeutic and adverse effects of the concomitant drug. Dosage adjustments may be considered, and when possible, serum concentrations of drugs primarily metabolized by CYP3A should be monitored closely in patients concurrently receiving erythromycin.
The following are examples of some clinically significant CYP3A based drug interactions. Interactions with other drugs metabolized by the CYP3A isoform are also possible. The following CYP3A based drug interactions have been observed with erythromycin products in post-marketing experience: Ergotamine/dihydroergotamine Post-marketing reports indicate that co-administration of erythromycin with ergotamine or dihydroergotamine has been associated with acute ergot toxicity characterized by vasospasm and ischemia of the extremities and other tissues including the central nervous system.
Concomitant administration of erythromycin with ergotamine or dihydroergotamine is contraindicated (see CONTRAINDICATIONS ). Triazolobenzodiazepines (such as triazolam and alprazolam) and related benzodiazepines Erythromycin has been reported to decrease the clearance of triazolam and midazolam, and thus, may increase the pharmacologic effect of these benzodiazepines. HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors Erythromycin has been reported to increase concentrations of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (e.g., lovastatin and simvastatin).
Rare reports of rhabdomyolysis have been reported in patients taking these drugs concomitantly. Sildenafil (Viagra) Erythromycin has been reported to increase the systemic exposure (AUC) of sildenafil. Reduction of sildenafil dosage should be considered.
(See Viagra package insert.) There have been spontaneous or published reports of CYP3A based interactions of erythromycin with cyclosporine, carbamazepine, tacrolimus, alfentanil, disopyramide, rifabutin, quinidine, methylprednisolone, cilostazol, vinblastine, and bromocriptine. Concomitant administration of erythromycin with cisapride, pimozide, astemizole, or terfenadine is contraindicated. (See CONTRAINDICATIONS .) In addition, there have been reports of interactions of erythromycin with drugs not thought to be metabolized by CYP3A, including hexobarbital, phenytoin, and valproate.
Erythromycin has been reported to significantly alter the metabolism of the nonsedating antihistamines terfenadine and aste…
🔄 Drug / Laboratory Test Interactions ▾
Drug/Laboratory Test Interactions Erythromycin interferes with the fluorometric determination of urinary catecholamines.
🤰 Pregnancy ▾
Pregnancy Teratogenic Effects There is no evidence of teratogenicity or any other adverse effect on reproduction in female rats fed erythromycin base by oral gavage at 350 mg/kg/day (approximately twice the maximum recommended human dose on a body surface area) prior to and during mating, during gestation, and through weaning. No evidence of teratogenicity or embryotoxicity was observed when erythromycin base was given by oral gavage to pregnant rats and mice at 700 mg/kg/day and to pregnant rabbits at 125 mg/kg/day (approximately 1 to 3 times the maximum recommended human dose).
🧒 Pediatric Use ▾
Pediatric Use See INDICATIONS AND USAGE and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION sections.
🧓 Geriatric Use ▾
Geriatric Use Elderly patients, particularly those with reduced renal or hepatic function, may be at increased risk for developing erythromycin-induced hearing loss. (See ADVERSE REACTIONS and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION ). Elderly patients may be more susceptible to the development of torsades de pointes arrhythmias than younger patients.
(See WARNINGS ). Elderly patients may experience increased effects of oral anticoagulant therapy while undergoing treatment with erythromycin. (See PRECAUTIONS - Drug Interactions ).
Erythromycin ethylsuccinate granules contain 16.7 mg (0.7 mEq) of sodium per individual dose. The geriatric population may respond with a blunted natriuresis to salt loading. This may be clinically important with regard to such diseases as congestive heart failure.
🆘 Overdosage ▾
OVERDOSAGE In case of overdosage, erythromycin should be discontinued. Overdosage should be handled with the prompt elimination of unabsorbed drug and all other appropriate measures should be instituted. Erythromycin is not removed by peritoneal dialysis or hemodialysis.
🧬 Clinical Pharmacology ▾
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY Orally administered erythromycin ethylsuccinate suspension is readily and reliably absorbed. Comparable serum levels of erythromycin are achieved in the fasting and nonfasting states. Erythromycin diffuses readily into most body fluids.
Only low concentrations are normally achieved in the spinal fluid, but passage of the drug across the blood-brain barrier increases in meningitis. In the presence of normal hepatic function, erythromycin is concentrated in the liver and excreted in the bile; the effect of hepatic dysfunction on excretion of erythromycin by the liver into the bile is not known. Less than 5 percent of the orally administered dose of erythromycin is excreted in active form in the urine.
Erythromycin crosses the placental barrier, but fetal plasma levels are low. The drug is excreted in human milk. Microbiology Mechanism of Action Erythromycin acts by inhibition of protein synthesis by binding 50S ribosomal subunits of susceptible organisms.
It does not affect nucleic acid synthesis. Resistance The major route of resistance is modification of the 23S rRNA in the 50S ribosomal subunit to insensitivity while efflux can also be significant. Interactions with Other Antimicrobials Antagonism exists in vitro between erythromycin and clindamycin, lincomycin, and chloramphenicol.
Antimicrobial Activity Erythromycin has been shown to be active against most isolates of the following microorganisms, both in vitro and in clinical infections (See INDICATIONS AND USAGE ). Aerobic bacteria Gram-positive bacteria: Corynebacterium diphtheriae Corynebacterium minutissimum Listeria monocytogenes Staphylococcus aureus (resistant organisms may emerge during treatment) Streptococcus pneumoniae Streptococcus pyogenes Gram-negative bacteria: Bordetella pertussis Haemophilus influenzae Legionella pneumophila Neisseria gonorrhoeae Other microorganisms Chlamydia trachomatis Entamoeba histolytica Mycoplasma pneumoniae Treponema pallidum Ureaplasma urealyticum The following in vitro data are available, but their clinical significance is unknown.
At least 90 percent of the following bacteria exhibit in vitro minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) less than or equal to the susceptible breakpoint for erythromycin against isolates of similar genus or organism group. However, the efficacy of erythromycin in treating clinical infections caused by these bacteria has not been established in adequate and well controlled clinical trials. Aerobic bacteria Gram-positive bacteria: Viridans group streptococci Gram-negative bacteria: Moraxella catarrhalis Susceptibility Testing For specific information regarding susceptibility test interpretive criteria and associated test methods and quality control standards recognized by FDA for this drug, please see: https://www.fda.gov/STIC.
📦 How Supplied / Storage and Handling ▾
HOW SUPPLIED Erythromycin Ethylsuccinate for Oral Suspension USP is available as: 200mg/5mL: Each 5 mL teaspoon of reconstituted cherry-flavored suspension contains activity equivalent to 200 mg of erythromycin. Available in bottles of: 100 mL NDC 62559-440-01 200 mL NDC 62559-440-02 Recommended storage Store granules, prior to mixing, at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature]. After mixing, refrigerate and use within ten days.
REFERENCES 1. Committee on Rheumatic Fever, Endocarditis, and Kawasaki Disease of the Council on Cardiovascular Disease in the Young, the American Heart Association: Prevention of Rheumatic Fever. Circulation.
78(4):1082-1086, October 1988. 2. Honein, M.A., et al.: Infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis after pertussis prophylaxis with erythromycin: a case review and cohort study.
The Lancet 1999:354 (9196): 2101-5. Manufactured by: ANI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Baudette, MN 56623 9857 Rev 02/25 ani-logo
📋 Description ▾
DESCRIPTION Erythromycin is produced by a strain of Saccharopolyspora erythraea (formerly Streptomyces erythraeus ) and belongs to the macrolide group of antibiotics. It is basic and readily forms salts with acids. The base, the stearate salt, and the esters are poorly soluble in water.
Erythromycin ethylsuccinate is an ester of erythromycin suitable for oral administration. Erythromycin ethylsuccinate is known chemically as erythromycin 2'-(ethylsuccinate). The molecular formula is C 43 H 75 NO 16 and the molecular weight is 862.06.
The structural formula is: The granules are intended for reconstitution with water. Each 5 mL teaspoonful of reconstituted palatable cherry-flavored suspension contains erythromycin ethylsuccinate equivalent to 200 mg of erythromycin. Granules are intended primarily for pediatric use but can also be used in adults.
Inactive Ingredients: artificial cherry flavor, lactose anhydrous, methylparaben, polysorbate 80, povidone, simethicone, sodium citrate anhydrous, and sucrose. structure
💬 Information for Patients ▾
Information for Patients Patients should be counseled that antibacterial drugs including erythromycin ethylsuccinate should only be used to treat bacterial infections. They do not treat viral infections (e.g., the common cold). When erythromycin ethylsuccinate is prescribed to treat a bacterial infection, patients should be told that although it is common to feel better early in the course of therapy, the medication should be taken exactly as directed.
Skipping doses or not completing the full course of therapy may (1) decrease the effectiveness of the immediate treatment and (2) increase the likelihood that bacteria will develop resistance and will not be treatable by erythromycin ethylsuccinate or other antibacterial drugs in the future. Diarrhea is a common problem caused by antibiotics which usually ends when the antibiotic is discontinued. Sometimes after starting treatment with antibiotics, patients can develop watery and bloody stools (with or without stomach cramps and fever) even as late as two or more months after having taken the last dose of the antibiotic.
If this occurs, patients should contact their physician as soon as possible.