erythromycin topical solution 2% 20 mg/mL Solution
🆔 Identity & classification
Where does this data come from?
🏷️ RxNorm drug class
This medicine belongs to the Macrolide class.
Where does this data come from?
🏭 Manufacturer & labeler
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🩺 Clinical
- 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
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Ask a licensed pharmacist directly — free, answered by our team.
🧪 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 3K9958V90M
A liquid solvent derived from fermentation or chemical synthesis. In medicines, alcohol dissolves active ingredients, helps preserve the product, and improves how the body absorbs certain drugs.
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UNII XF417D3PSL
Anhydrous citric acid is a sour, crystalline powder derived from citric acid with water removed. In medicines, it acts as a buffer to control pH, adds tartness to improve taste, and helps tablets disintegrate.
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UNII 6DC9Q167V3
Propylene glycol is a clear liquid derived from petroleum or vegetable sources. It acts as a solvent, humectant, and preservative in medicines, helping dissolve active ingredients and maintain product stability.
3 inactive ingredients listed in the exact product block matched to this NDC.
Where does this data come from?
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 | $0.352 | $21.12 / 60 ml |
| Medicaid paysCMS SDUD · 12 mo | $0.4417 | $26.50 / 60 ml |
| Medicare drug plans payPart D · Q2 2026 | $0.4210 | $25.26 / 60 ml |
Where does this data come from?
🔁 Therapeutic equivalents
| Product | Labeler | Pack | NADAC/unit | TE | Status | Price vs. this |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| erythromycin 20 mg/mL 45802-0038-46 | Padagis | 1 bottle | $0.352 | AT | Availability likely | — |
| erythromycin topical solution 2% 20 mg/mLthis 71656-0030-60 | Saptalis | 1 bottle | $0.352 | AT | Availability likely | — |
| erythromycin 20 mg/mL 68071-4791-06 | NuCare | 60 ml | — | AT | FDA listed | — |
| erythromycin 20 mg/mL 72162-2075-06 | Bryant | 1 bottle | — | AT | 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
📦 Packaging — all sizes for this product
| Package NDC | Description | Marketing start | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 71656-0030-60 You're viewing this | 1 BOTTLE in 1 CARTON (71656-030-60) / 60 mL in 1 BOTTLE | 2024-08-14 | Active |
📄 Full prescribing information FDA SPL
🎯 Indications and Usage ▾
INDICATIONS AND USAGE Erythromycin topical solution, 2% is indicated for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris.
⏱️ Dosage and Administration ▾
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Erythromycin topical solution, 2% should be applied over the affected areas twice a day (morning and evening) after the skin is thoroughly washed with warm water and soap and patted dry. Acne lesions on the face, neck, shoulders, chest, and back may be treated in this manner. This medication should be applied with applicator top.
If fingertips are used, wash hands after application. Drying and peeling may be controlled by reducing the frequency of applications.
⛔ Contraindications ▾
CONTRAINDICATIONS Erythromycin topical solution, 2% is contraindicated in those individuals who have shown hypersensitivity to any of its components.
⚠️ Warnings ▾
WARNINGS Pseudomembranous colitis has been reported with nearly all antibacterial agents, including erythromycin, and may range in severity from mild to life-threatening. Therefore, it is important to consider this diagnosis in patients who present with diarrhea subsequent to the administration of antibacterial agents. Treatment with antibacterial agents alters the normal flora of the colon and may permit overgrowth of clostridia.
Studies indicate that a toxin produced by Clostridium difficile is one primary cause of “antibiotic-associated colitis”. After the diagnosis of pseudomembranous colitis has been established, therapeutic measures should be initiated. Mild cases of pseudomembranous colitis usually respond to drug discontinuation alone.
In moderate to severe cases, consideration should be given to management with fluids and electrolytes, protein supplementation and treatment with an antibacterial drug clinically effective against C. difficile colitis.
🤒 Adverse Reactions ▾
ADVERSE REACTIONS The following local adverse reactions have been reported occasionally: peeling, dryness, itching, erythema, and oiliness. Irritation of the eyes and tenderness of the skin have also been reported with topical use of erythromycin. Generalized urticarial reactions possibly related to the use of erythromycin, which required systemic steroid therapy have been reported.
To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Saptalis Pharmaceuticals, LLC at 1-833-727-8254 or FDA at 1-800‑FDA‑1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
🤰 Pregnancy ▾
Pregnancy There was no evidence of teratogenicity or any other adverse effect on reproduction in female rats fed erythromycin base (up to 0.25% of diet) prior to and during mating, during gestation and through weaning of two successive litters. There are, however, no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, this drug should be used in pregnancy only if clearly needed.
Erythromycin has been reported to cross the placental barrier in humans, but fetal plasma levels are generally low.
🧒 Pediatric Use ▾
Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness of this product in pediatric patients have not been established.
🧬 Clinical Pharmacology ▾
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY The exact mechanism by which erythromycin reduces lesions of acne vulgaris is not fully known; however, the effect appears to be due in part to the antibacterial activity of the drug. Microbiology Erythromycin acts by inhibition of protein synthesis in susceptible organisms by reversibly binding to 50S ribosomal subunits, thereby inhibiting translocation of aminoacyl transfer-RNA and inhibiting polypeptide synthesis. Antagonism has been demonstrated in vitro between erythromycin, lincomycin, chloramphenicol, and clindamycin.
📦 How Supplied / Storage and Handling ▾
HOW SUPPLIED Erythromycin topical solution, USP 2% is available as follows: 60 mL bottle with applicator (NDC 71656-030-60) Store at 15° to 30°C (59° to 86°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Keep container tightly closed.
📋 Description ▾
DESCRIPTION Erythromycin topical solution, USP 2% contains erythromycin, USP for topical dermatologic use. Erythromycin is a macrolide antibiotic produced from a strain of Saccaropolyspora erythraea (formerly Streptomyces erythreus ). It is a base and readily forms salts with acids.
Chemically, erythromycin is: (3 R *,4 S *,5 S *,6 R *,7 R *,9 R *,11 R *,12 R *,13 S *,14 R *)-4-[(2,6-Dideoxy-3- C -methyl-3- 0 -methyl-α-L- ribo -hexopyranosyl)oxy]-14-ethyl-7,12,13-trihydroxy -3,5,7,9,11,13-hexamethyl-6-[[3,4,6-trideoxy-3-(dimethylamino)-ß-D- xylo -hexopyranosyl]oxy]oxacyclotetradecane-2,10-dione. It has the following structural formula: Molecular Formula: C 37 H 67 NO 13 Molecular Weight: 733.94 Erythromycin, USP is a white or slightly yellow, crystalline powder that is soluble in water, alcohol, chloroform and in ether.
Each mL of erythromycin topical solution, USP 2% contains 20 mg of erythromycin base in a vehicle consisting of alcohol (66%), citric acid, and propylene glycol. formula
💬 Information for Patients ▾
Information for Patients Patients using erythromycin topical solution, 2% should receive the following information and instructions: This medication is to be used as directed by the physician. It is for external use only. Avoid contact with the eyes, nose, mouth, and all mucous membranes.
This medication should not be used for any disorder other than that for which it was prescribed. Patients should not use any other topical acne medication unless otherwise directed by their physician. Patients should report to their physician any signs of local adverse reactions.