ERYTHROMYCIN (Topical)

Some commonly used brand names are:

In the U.S.?

• Akne-Mycin
• A/T/S
• Emgel
• Erycette
• EryDerm
• Erygel
• Erymax
• Ery-Sol
• Erythra-Derm
• ETS
• Staticin
• Theramycin Z
• T-Stat

In Canada?

• Sans-Acne
• Staticin

Generic name product may be available in the U.S.

Category

• Antiacne agent, topical
• Antibacterial, topical

Description

Erythromycin (eh-rith-roe-MYE-sin) belongs to the family of medicinescalled antibiotics. Erythromycin topical preparations are used on the skinto help control acne. They may be used alone or with one or more other medicinesthat are applied to the skin or taken by mouth for acne. They may also beused for other problems, such as skin infections, as determined by your doctor.

Erythromycin is available only with your doctor's prescription, in thefollowing dosage forms:

Topical
• Gel (U.S.)
• Ointment (U.S.)
• Pledgets (U.S.)
• Solution (U.S. and Canada)

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine,the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it willdo. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For topical erythromycin,the following should be considered:

Allergies?Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual orallergic reaction to this or any of the other erythromycins. Also tell yourhealth care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, suchas preservatives or dyes.

Pregnancy?Topical erythromycin has not been studied in pregnantwomen. However, this medication has not been shown to cause birth defectsor other problems in animal studies.

Breast-feeding?It is not known whether topical erythromycin passesinto the breast milk. Erythromycin, given by mouth or by injection, does passinto the breast milk. However, erythromycin topical preparations have notbeen reported to cause problems in nursing babies.

Children?Erythromycin topical solution has been tested inchildren 12 years of age and older and, in effective doses, has not been shownto cause different side effects or problems than it does in adults.

Older adults?Many medicines have not been studied specificallyin older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactlythe same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific information comparing use of topical erythromycin in the elderly with use in other agegroups, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problemsin older people than it does in younger adults.

Other medicines?Although certain medicines should not be usedtogether at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used togethereven if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want tochange the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health careprofessional if you are using any other topical prescription or nonprescription(over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine that is to be applied to the same area ofthe skin.

Proper Use of This Medicine

Before applyingthis medicine, thoroughly wash the affected area with warm water and soap,rinse well, and pat dry. After washing or shaving, it is best to wait 30 minutesbefore applying the pledget (swab), topical gel, or topical liquid form. Thealcohol in them may irritate freshly washed or shaved skin.

For patients using the pledget (swab), topical gel, or topical liquid formof erythromycin:

• These forms contain alcohol and are flammable. Do not use near heat, near open flame, or while smoking.
• It is important that you do not use this medicine more often thanyour doctor ordered. It may cause your skin to become too dry or irritated.
• Also, you should avoid washing the acne-affected areas too often.This may dry your skin and make your acne worse. Washing with a mild, blandsoap 2 or 3 times a day should be enough, unless you have oily skin. If youhave any questions about this, check with your doctor.
• To use:
  • The topical liquid form of this medicine may come in a bottle withan applicator tip, which may be used to apply the medicine directly to theskin. Use the applicator with a dabbing motion instead of a rolling motion(not like a roll-on deodorant, for example). If the medicine does not comein an applicator bottle, you may moisten a pad with the medicine and thenrub the pad over the whole affected area. Or you may also apply this medicinewith your fingertips. Be sure to wash the medicine off your hands afterward.
  • Apply a thin film of medicine, using enough to cover the affectedarea lightly. You should apply the medicine to the wholearea usually affected by acne, not just to the pimples themselves.This will help keep new pimples from breaking out.
  • The pledget (swab) form should be rubbed over the whole affectedarea. You may use extra pledgets (swabs), if needed, to cover larger areas.
  • Since these medicines contain alcohol, they may sting or burn. Therefore, do not get these medicines in the eyes, nose, mouth,or on other mucous membranes. Spread the medicine away from these areaswhen applying. If these medicines do get in the eyes, wash them out immediately,but carefully, with large amounts of cool tap water. If your eyes still burnor are painful, check with your doctor.

This medicine will not cure your acne. However, to help keep your acneunder control, keep using this medicine for the fulltime of treatment, even if your symptoms begin to clear up after afew days. You may have to continue using this medicine every day for monthsor even longer in some cases. If you stop using this medicine too soon, yoursymptoms may return. It is important that you do notmiss any doses.

Dosing?The dose of topical erythromycin will be differentfor different patients. Follow your doctor's orders orthe directions on the label. The following information includes onlythe average doses of topical erythromycin. If your doseis different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

• For acne:
  • For gel dosage form:
    • Adults?Apply to the affected area(s) of the skin two timesa day, morning and evening.
    • Children?Dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For ointment dosage form:
    • Adults, teenagers, and children?Apply to the affected area(s)of the skin two times a day, morning and evening.
  • For pledgets dosage form:
    • Adults, teenagers, and children?Apply to the affected area(s)of the skin two times a day.
  • For topical solution dosage form:
    • Adults, teenagers, and children 12 years of age and over?Applyto the affected area(s) of the skin two times a day, morning and evening.
    • Children up to 12 years of age?Dose must be determined by yourdoctor.

Missed dose?If you miss a dose of this medicine, apply it assoon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip themissed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.

Storage?To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Keep the medicine from freezing.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be surethat any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

Precautions While Using This Medicine

If youracne does not improve within 3 to 4 weeks, or if it becomes worse, check withyour health care professional. However, treatment of acne may take up to 8to 12 weeks before you see full improvement.

For patients using the pledget (swab), topical gel, or topical liquid formof erythromycin:

• If your doctor has ordered another medicine to be applied to theskin along with this medicine, it is best to wait at least 1 hour before youapply the second medicine. This may help keep your skin from becoming tooirritated. Also, if the medicines are used too close together, they may notwork properly.
• After application of this medicine to the skin, mild stinging orburning may be expected and may last up to a few minutes or more.
• This medicine may also cause the skin to become unusually dry, evenwith normal use. If this occurs, check with your doctor.
• You may continue to use cosmetics (make-up) while you are using thismedicine for acne. However, it is best to use only ``water-base'' cosmetics.Also, it is best not to use cosmetics too heavily or too often. They may makeyour acne worse. If you have any questions about this, check with your doctor.

Side Effects of This Medicine

Along with its needed effects,a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. The following side effects maygo away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine.

However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continueor are bothersome:

For erythromycin ointment

Less common

Peeling; redness

For erythromycin pledget (swab), topical gel, or topical liquid form

More common

Dry or scaly skin; irritation; itching; stinging or burning feeling

Less common

Peeling; redness

Other side effects not listed above may also occur insome patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.