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Erythromycin Dosage

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Sep 6, 2023.

Applies to the following strengths: 250 mg; 333 mg; stearate 500 mg; ethylsuccinate 400 mg; lactobionate 1 g; lactobionate 500 mg; 500 mg; ethylsuccinate 200 mg/5 mL; ethylsuccinate 400 mg/5 mL; ethylsuccinate 100 mg/2.5 mL; ethylsuccinate 200 mg; stearate 250 mg; estolate 125 mg/5 mL; estolate 250 mg/5 mL; estolate 250 mg; gluceptate 1 g; estolate 500 mg; ethylsuccinate; stearate

Usual Adult Dose for Amebiasis

ORAL:
Erythromycin Base (Base) or Erythromycin Stearate (Stearate):
Mild to moderate infections: 250 mg orally every 6 hours, 333 mg orally every 8 hours, OR 500 mg orally every 12 hours
Severe infections: 1 gram orally every 6 hours


Erythromycin Ethylsuccinate (Ethylsuccinate): 400 mg orally every 6 hours

PARENTERAL:
Erythromycin Lactobionate (Lactobionate): 15 to 20 mg/kg IV per day via intermittent IV infusion over 20 to 60 minutes no more than every 6 hours or via slow continuous IV infusion

Duration of therapy:

Comments:

Uses:

Usual Adult Dose for Campylobacter Gastroenteritis

ORAL:
Erythromycin Base (Base) or Erythromycin Stearate (Stearate):
Mild to moderate infections: 250 mg orally every 6 hours, 333 mg orally every 8 hours, OR 500 mg orally every 12 hours
Severe infections: 1 gram orally every 6 hours


Erythromycin Ethylsuccinate (Ethylsuccinate): 400 mg orally every 6 hours

PARENTERAL:
Erythromycin Lactobionate (Lactobionate): 15 to 20 mg/kg IV per day via intermittent IV infusion over 20 to 60 minutes no more than every 6 hours or via slow continuous IV infusion

Duration of therapy:

Comments:

Uses:

Usual Adult Dose for Mycoplasma Pneumonia

ORAL:
Erythromycin Base (Base) or Erythromycin Stearate (Stearate):
Mild to moderate infections: 250 mg orally every 6 hours, 333 mg orally every 8 hours, OR 500 mg orally every 12 hours
Severe infections: 1 gram orally every 6 hours


Erythromycin Ethylsuccinate (Ethylsuccinate): 400 mg orally every 6 hours

PARENTERAL:
Erythromycin Lactobionate (Lactobionate): 15 to 20 mg/kg IV per day via intermittent IV infusion over 20 to 60 minutes no more than every 6 hours or via slow continuous IV infusion

Duration of therapy:

Comments:

Uses:

Usual Adult Dose for Otitis Media

ORAL:
Erythromycin Base (Base) or Erythromycin Stearate (Stearate):
Mild to moderate infections: 250 mg orally every 6 hours, 333 mg orally every 8 hours, OR 500 mg orally every 12 hours
Severe infections: 1 gram orally every 6 hours


Erythromycin Ethylsuccinate (Ethylsuccinate): 400 mg orally every 6 hours

PARENTERAL:
Erythromycin Lactobionate (Lactobionate): 15 to 20 mg/kg IV per day via intermittent IV infusion over 20 to 60 minutes no more than every 6 hours or via slow continuous IV infusion

Duration of therapy:

Comments:

Uses:

Usual Adult Dose for Pharyngitis

ORAL:
Erythromycin Base (Base) or Erythromycin Stearate (Stearate):
Mild to moderate infections: 250 mg orally every 6 hours, 333 mg orally every 8 hours, OR 500 mg orally every 12 hours
Severe infections: 1 gram orally every 6 hours


Erythromycin Ethylsuccinate (Ethylsuccinate): 400 mg orally every 6 hours

PARENTERAL:
Erythromycin Lactobionate (Lactobionate): 15 to 20 mg/kg IV per day via intermittent IV infusion over 20 to 60 minutes no more than every 6 hours or via slow continuous IV infusion

Duration of therapy:

Comments:

Uses:

Usual Adult Dose for Pneumonia

ORAL:
Erythromycin Base (Base) or Erythromycin Stearate (Stearate):
Mild to moderate infections: 250 mg orally every 6 hours, 333 mg orally every 8 hours, OR 500 mg orally every 12 hours
Severe infections: 1 gram orally every 6 hours


Erythromycin Ethylsuccinate (Ethylsuccinate): 400 mg orally every 6 hours

PARENTERAL:
Erythromycin Lactobionate (Lactobionate): 15 to 20 mg/kg IV per day via intermittent IV infusion over 20 to 60 minutes no more than every 6 hours or via slow continuous IV infusion

Duration of therapy:

Comments:

Uses:

Usual Adult Dose for Skin or Soft Tissue Infection

ORAL:
Erythromycin Base (Base) or Erythromycin Stearate (Stearate):
Mild to moderate infections: 250 mg orally every 6 hours, 333 mg orally every 8 hours, OR 500 mg orally every 12 hours
Severe infections: 1 gram orally every 6 hours


Erythromycin Ethylsuccinate (Ethylsuccinate): 400 mg orally every 6 hours

PARENTERAL:
Erythromycin Lactobionate (Lactobionate): 15 to 20 mg/kg IV per day via intermittent IV infusion over 20 to 60 minutes no more than every 6 hours or via slow continuous IV infusion

Duration of therapy:

Comments:

Uses:

Usual Adult Dose for Upper Respiratory Tract Infection

ORAL:
Erythromycin Base (Base) or Erythromycin Stearate (Stearate):
Mild to moderate infections: 250 mg orally every 6 hours, 333 mg orally every 8 hours, OR 500 mg orally every 12 hours
Severe infections: 1 gram orally every 6 hours


Erythromycin Ethylsuccinate (Ethylsuccinate): 400 mg orally every 6 hours

PARENTERAL:
Erythromycin Lactobionate (Lactobionate): 15 to 20 mg/kg IV per day via intermittent IV infusion over 20 to 60 minutes no more than every 6 hours or via slow continuous IV infusion

Duration of therapy:

Comments:

Uses:

Usual Adult Dose for Bronchitis

ORAL:
Erythromycin Base (Base) or Erythromycin Stearate (Stearate):
Mild to moderate infections: 250 mg orally every 6 hours, 333 mg orally every 8 hours, OR 500 mg orally every 12 hours
Severe infections: 1 gram orally every 6 hours


Erythromycin Ethylsuccinate (Ethylsuccinate): 400 mg orally every 6 hours

PARENTERAL:
Erythromycin Lactobionate (Lactobionate): 15 to 20 mg/kg IV per day via intermittent IV infusion over 20 to 60 minutes no more than every 6 hours or via slow continuous IV infusion

Duration of therapy:

Comments:

Uses:

Usual Adult Dose for Diphtheria

ORAL:
Erythromycin Base (Base) or Erythromycin Stearate (Stearate):
Mild to moderate infections: 250 mg orally every 6 hours, 333 mg orally every 8 hours, OR 500 mg orally every 12 hours
Severe infections: 1 gram orally every 6 hours


Erythromycin Ethylsuccinate (Ethylsuccinate): 400 mg orally every 6 hours

PARENTERAL:
Erythromycin Lactobionate (Lactobionate): 15 to 20 mg/kg IV per day via intermittent IV infusion over 20 to 60 minutes no more than every 6 hours or via slow continuous IV infusion

Duration of therapy:

Comments:

Uses:

Usual Adult Dose for Gastroenteritis

ORAL:
Erythromycin Base (Base) or Erythromycin Stearate (Stearate):
Mild to moderate infections: 250 mg orally every 6 hours, 333 mg orally every 8 hours, OR 500 mg orally every 12 hours
Severe infections: 1 gram orally every 6 hours


Erythromycin Ethylsuccinate (Ethylsuccinate): 400 mg orally every 6 hours

PARENTERAL:
Erythromycin Lactobionate (Lactobionate): 15 to 20 mg/kg IV per day via intermittent IV infusion over 20 to 60 minutes no more than every 6 hours or via slow continuous IV infusion

Duration of therapy:

Comments:

Uses:

Usual Adult Dose for Legionella Pneumonia

ORAL:
Base or Stearate: 1 to 4 grams orally per day, given in divided doses
Ethylsuccinate: 1.6 to 4 grams orally per day, given in divided doses

PARENTERAL:
Lactobionate: 1 to 4 grams per day, given IV in divided doses via intermittent IV infusion over 20 to 60 minutes no more than every 6 hours or via slow continuous IV infusion

Comment:


Use: Treatment of Legionnaires' disease caused by Legionella pneumophila

Usual Adult Dose for Bacterial Endocarditis Prophylaxis

ORAL: 1 gram orally ONCE, 1 hour prior to the procedure, then 500 mg orally 6 hours later

Use: Prevention of bacterial endocarditis in patients with penicillin allergies and idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis (IHSS), most congenital cardiac malformations, previous history of bacterial endocarditis and mitral valve prolapse with insufficiency when they undergo dental/surgical procedures of the upper respiratory tract, prosthetic cardiac valves, and rheumatic/other acquired valvular dysfunction surgically constructed systemic pulmonary shunts

Usual Adult Dose for Rheumatic Fever Prophylaxis

ORAL:
Base: 250 mg orally 2 times a day
Ethylsuccinate: 400 mg orally 2 times a day
Duration of therapy:


Comments:

Uses:

Usual Adult Dose for Nongonococcal Urethritis

ORAL:
Base or Stearate: 500 mg orally 4 times a day OR 666 mg orally every 8 hours
Ethylsuccinate: 800 mg orally 3 times a day
Duration of therapy: At least 7 days

Comments:


Uses:

US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC) Recommendations:
Base: 500 mg orally 4 times a day
Ethylsuccinate: 800 mg orally 4 times a day
Duration of therapy: 7 days

Uses:

Usual Adult Dose for Chlamydia Infection

ORAL:
Base or Stearate: 500 mg orally 4 times a day OR 666 mg orally every 8 hours
Ethylsuccinate: 800 mg orally 3 times a day
Duration of therapy: At least 7 days

Comments:


Uses:

US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC) Recommendations:
Base: 500 mg orally 4 times a day
Ethylsuccinate: 800 mg orally 4 times a day
Duration of therapy: 7 days

Uses:

Usual Adult Dose for Pertussis

ORAL:
Base, Ethylsuccinate, or Stearate: 40 to 50 mg/kg orally per day, given in divided doses


Comments:

Use: Treatment of pertussis (whooping cough) caused by B pertussis

Usual Adult Dose for Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

PARENTERAL:
Lactobionate: 500 mg via IV infusion over 20 to 60 minutes every 6 hours


ORAL:
Base or Stearate: 500 mg orally every 12 hours, 333 mg orally every 8 hours, OR 250 mg orally every 6 hours
Ethylsuccinate: 800 mg orally every 8 hours OR 400 mg orally every 6 hours
Duration of therapy: 7 days

Comments:

Uses:

Usual Adult Dose for Syphilis - Early

ORAL:
Base or Stearate: 30 to 40 grams orally, given in divided doses over 10 to 15 days
Succinate: 48 to 64 grams orally, given in divided doses over 10 to 15 days

Comments:


Use: Alternative treatment for primary syphilis caused by Treponema palladium in patients who are allergic to penicillins

Usual Adult Dose for Bowel Preparation

ORAL:
Base:
Proposed 8 AM surgery: 1 gram orally once at 1 PM, 2 PM, and 11 PM on the day preceding the surgery with neomycin

Comments:


Use: Preoperative prophylaxis for elective colorectal surgery

American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), Surgical Infection Society (SIS), and Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) Recommendations:
ORAL:

Use: Antibiotic for colorectal surgery prophylaxis in conjunction with mechanical bowel preparation

Usual Adult Dose for Bacteremia

IDSA Recommendations:
ORAL:
Impetigo:
Base, Estolate, Stearate: 250 mg orally 4 times a day
Ethylsuccinate: 400 mg orally 4 times a day

Bacillary angiomatosis:
Base, Estolate, Stearate: 500 mg orally 4 times a day

Duration of therapy:


Comments:

Uses:

US Department of Health and Human Services (US HHS), US National Institutes of Health (US NIH), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), and US CDC Recommendations:
ORAL/PARENTERAL:
Bacillary angiomatosis, Bacteremia, Osteomyelitis, and Peliosis Hepatitis: 500 mg orally or IV every 6 hours
Other severe infections: 500 mg orally or IV every 6 hours PLUS rifampin
Duration of therapy: 3 months

Comment: Long-term suppression is recommended in patients with CD4 counts less than 200 cells/mcL if relapse occurs after an initial course of treatment.

Uses:

Usual Adult Dose for Osteomyelitis

IDSA Recommendations:
ORAL:
Impetigo:
Base, Estolate, Stearate: 250 mg orally 4 times a day
Ethylsuccinate: 400 mg orally 4 times a day

Bacillary angiomatosis:
Base, Estolate, Stearate: 500 mg orally 4 times a day

Duration of therapy:


Comments:

Uses:

US Department of Health and Human Services (US HHS), US National Institutes of Health (US NIH), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), and US CDC Recommendations:
ORAL/PARENTERAL:
Bacillary angiomatosis, Bacteremia, Osteomyelitis, and Peliosis Hepatitis: 500 mg orally or IV every 6 hours
Other severe infections: 500 mg orally or IV every 6 hours PLUS rifampin
Duration of therapy: 3 months

Comment: Long-term suppression is recommended in patients with CD4 counts less than 200 cells/mcL if relapse occurs after an initial course of treatment.

Uses:

Usual Adult Dose for Bartonellosis

IDSA Recommendations:
ORAL:
Impetigo:
Base, Estolate, Stearate: 250 mg orally 4 times a day
Ethylsuccinate: 400 mg orally 4 times a day

Bacillary angiomatosis:
Base, Estolate, Stearate: 500 mg orally 4 times a day

Duration of therapy:


Comments:

Uses:

US Department of Health and Human Services (US HHS), US National Institutes of Health (US NIH), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), and US CDC Recommendations:
ORAL/PARENTERAL:
Bacillary angiomatosis, Bacteremia, Osteomyelitis, and Peliosis Hepatitis: 500 mg orally or IV every 6 hours
Other severe infections: 500 mg orally or IV every 6 hours PLUS rifampin
Duration of therapy: 3 months

Comment: Long-term suppression is recommended in patients with CD4 counts less than 200 cells/mcL if relapse occurs after an initial course of treatment.

Uses:

Usual Adult Dose for Impetigo

IDSA Recommendations:
ORAL:
Impetigo:
Base, Estolate, Stearate: 250 mg orally 4 times a day
Ethylsuccinate: 400 mg orally 4 times a day

Bacillary angiomatosis:
Base, Estolate, Stearate: 500 mg orally 4 times a day

Duration of therapy:


Comments:

Uses:

US Department of Health and Human Services (US HHS), US National Institutes of Health (US NIH), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), and US CDC Recommendations:
ORAL/PARENTERAL:
Bacillary angiomatosis, Bacteremia, Osteomyelitis, and Peliosis Hepatitis: 500 mg orally or IV every 6 hours
Other severe infections: 500 mg orally or IV every 6 hours PLUS rifampin
Duration of therapy: 3 months

Comment: Long-term suppression is recommended in patients with CD4 counts less than 200 cells/mcL if relapse occurs after an initial course of treatment.

Uses:

Usual Adult Dose for Lyme Disease

IDSA Recommendations:
Early Lyme disease: 500 mg orally 4 times a day


Comments:

Use: Alternative treatment for early Lyme disease, including borrelial lymphocyte and erythema migrans

Usual Adult Dose for Skin and Structure Infection

IDSA Recommendations:
ORAL:
Base, Estolate, Stearate: 250 mg orally 2 times a day


Comments:

Use: Preferred management of recurrent cellulitis in patients with predisposing conditions (e.g., eczema, edema, obesity, toe web abnormalities, venous insufficiency)

Usual Adult Dose for Chancroid

US CDC Recommendations:
ORAL:
Base: 500 mg orally 3 times a day


Comments:

Use: Recommended treatment of genital ulcer disease in men due to Haemophilus ducreyi (chancroid)

Usual Adult Dose for Granuloma Inguinale

US CDC Recommendations:
ORAL:
Base: 500 mg orally 4 times a day


Comments:

Uses:

Usual Adult Dose for Lymphogranuloma Venereum

US CDC Recommendations:
ORAL:
Base: 500 mg orally 4 times a day


Comments:

Uses:

Usual Pediatric Dose for Campylobacter Gastroenteritis

ORAL:
Base or Stearate:
Children: 30 to 50 mg/kg orally per day, given in equally divided doses


Ethylsuccinate:
Children: 30 to 50 mg orally every day, given in equally divided doses every 6 hours

PARENTERAL:
Lactobionate:
Children: 15 to 20 mg/kg IV per day via intermittent IV infusion over 20 to 60 minutes no more than every 6 hours or via slow continuous IV infusion

Duration of therapy: At least 10 days (streptococcal infections)

Comments:

Uses:

Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society (PIDS) and IDSA Recommendations:
ORAL:
Step-down or mild therapy: 10 mg/kg orally 4 times a day

PARENTERAL:
Lactobionate: 5 mg/kg IV per day, given in dived doses every 6 hours

Uses:

Usual Pediatric Dose for Mycoplasma Pneumonia

ORAL:
Base or Stearate:
Children: 30 to 50 mg/kg orally per day, given in equally divided doses


Ethylsuccinate:
Children: 30 to 50 mg orally every day, given in equally divided doses every 6 hours

PARENTERAL:
Lactobionate:
Children: 15 to 20 mg/kg IV per day via intermittent IV infusion over 20 to 60 minutes no more than every 6 hours or via slow continuous IV infusion

Duration of therapy: At least 10 days (streptococcal infections)

Comments:

Uses:

Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society (PIDS) and IDSA Recommendations:
ORAL:
Step-down or mild therapy: 10 mg/kg orally 4 times a day

PARENTERAL:
Lactobionate: 5 mg/kg IV per day, given in dived doses every 6 hours

Uses:

Usual Pediatric Dose for Otitis Media

ORAL:
Base or Stearate:
Children: 30 to 50 mg/kg orally per day, given in equally divided doses


Ethylsuccinate:
Children: 30 to 50 mg orally every day, given in equally divided doses every 6 hours

PARENTERAL:
Lactobionate:
Children: 15 to 20 mg/kg IV per day via intermittent IV infusion over 20 to 60 minutes no more than every 6 hours or via slow continuous IV infusion

Duration of therapy: At least 10 days (streptococcal infections)

Comments:

Uses:

Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society (PIDS) and IDSA Recommendations:
ORAL:
Step-down or mild therapy: 10 mg/kg orally 4 times a day

PARENTERAL:
Lactobionate: 5 mg/kg IV per day, given in dived doses every 6 hours

Uses:

Usual Pediatric Dose for Pharyngitis

ORAL:
Base or Stearate:
Children: 30 to 50 mg/kg orally per day, given in equally divided doses


Ethylsuccinate:
Children: 30 to 50 mg orally every day, given in equally divided doses every 6 hours

PARENTERAL:
Lactobionate:
Children: 15 to 20 mg/kg IV per day via intermittent IV infusion over 20 to 60 minutes no more than every 6 hours or via slow continuous IV infusion

Duration of therapy: At least 10 days (streptococcal infections)

Comments:

Uses:

Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society (PIDS) and IDSA Recommendations:
ORAL:
Step-down or mild therapy: 10 mg/kg orally 4 times a day

PARENTERAL:
Lactobionate: 5 mg/kg IV per day, given in dived doses every 6 hours

Uses:

Usual Pediatric Dose for Pneumonia

ORAL:
Base or Stearate:
Children: 30 to 50 mg/kg orally per day, given in equally divided doses


Ethylsuccinate:
Children: 30 to 50 mg orally every day, given in equally divided doses every 6 hours

PARENTERAL:
Lactobionate:
Children: 15 to 20 mg/kg IV per day via intermittent IV infusion over 20 to 60 minutes no more than every 6 hours or via slow continuous IV infusion

Duration of therapy: At least 10 days (streptococcal infections)

Comments:

Uses:

Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society (PIDS) and IDSA Recommendations:
ORAL:
Step-down or mild therapy: 10 mg/kg orally 4 times a day

PARENTERAL:
Lactobionate: 5 mg/kg IV per day, given in dived doses every 6 hours

Uses:

Usual Pediatric Dose for Skin or Soft Tissue Infection

ORAL:
Base or Stearate:
Children: 30 to 50 mg/kg orally per day, given in equally divided doses


Ethylsuccinate:
Children: 30 to 50 mg orally every day, given in equally divided doses every 6 hours

PARENTERAL:
Lactobionate:
Children: 15 to 20 mg/kg IV per day via intermittent IV infusion over 20 to 60 minutes no more than every 6 hours or via slow continuous IV infusion

Duration of therapy: At least 10 days (streptococcal infections)

Comments:

Uses:

Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society (PIDS) and IDSA Recommendations:
ORAL:
Step-down or mild therapy: 10 mg/kg orally 4 times a day

PARENTERAL:
Lactobionate: 5 mg/kg IV per day, given in dived doses every 6 hours

Uses:

Usual Pediatric Dose for Upper Respiratory Tract Infection

ORAL:
Base or Stearate:
Children: 30 to 50 mg/kg orally per day, given in equally divided doses


Ethylsuccinate:
Children: 30 to 50 mg orally every day, given in equally divided doses every 6 hours

PARENTERAL:
Lactobionate:
Children: 15 to 20 mg/kg IV per day via intermittent IV infusion over 20 to 60 minutes no more than every 6 hours or via slow continuous IV infusion

Duration of therapy: At least 10 days (streptococcal infections)

Comments:

Uses:

Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society (PIDS) and IDSA Recommendations:
ORAL:
Step-down or mild therapy: 10 mg/kg orally 4 times a day

PARENTERAL:
Lactobionate: 5 mg/kg IV per day, given in dived doses every 6 hours

Uses:

Usual Pediatric Dose for Bronchitis

ORAL:
Base or Stearate:
Children: 30 to 50 mg/kg orally per day, given in equally divided doses


Ethylsuccinate:
Children: 30 to 50 mg orally every day, given in equally divided doses every 6 hours

PARENTERAL:
Lactobionate:
Children: 15 to 20 mg/kg IV per day via intermittent IV infusion over 20 to 60 minutes no more than every 6 hours or via slow continuous IV infusion

Duration of therapy: At least 10 days (streptococcal infections)

Comments:

Uses:

Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society (PIDS) and IDSA Recommendations:
ORAL:
Step-down or mild therapy: 10 mg/kg orally 4 times a day

PARENTERAL:
Lactobionate: 5 mg/kg IV per day, given in dived doses every 6 hours

Uses:

Usual Pediatric Dose for Diphtheria

ORAL:
Base or Stearate:
Children: 30 to 50 mg/kg orally per day, given in equally divided doses


Ethylsuccinate:
Children: 30 to 50 mg orally every day, given in equally divided doses every 6 hours

PARENTERAL:
Lactobionate:
Children: 15 to 20 mg/kg IV per day via intermittent IV infusion over 20 to 60 minutes no more than every 6 hours or via slow continuous IV infusion

Duration of therapy: At least 10 days (streptococcal infections)

Comments:

Uses:

Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society (PIDS) and IDSA Recommendations:
ORAL:
Step-down or mild therapy: 10 mg/kg orally 4 times a day

PARENTERAL:
Lactobionate: 5 mg/kg IV per day, given in dived doses every 6 hours

Uses:

Usual Pediatric Dose for Gastroenteritis

ORAL:
Base or Stearate:
Children: 30 to 50 mg/kg orally per day, given in equally divided doses


Ethylsuccinate:
Children: 30 to 50 mg orally every day, given in equally divided doses every 6 hours

PARENTERAL:
Lactobionate:
Children: 15 to 20 mg/kg IV per day via intermittent IV infusion over 20 to 60 minutes no more than every 6 hours or via slow continuous IV infusion

Duration of therapy: At least 10 days (streptococcal infections)

Comments:

Uses:

Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society (PIDS) and IDSA Recommendations:
ORAL:
Step-down or mild therapy: 10 mg/kg orally 4 times a day

PARENTERAL:
Lactobionate: 5 mg/kg IV per day, given in dived doses every 6 hours

Uses:

Usual Pediatric Dose for Amebiasis

ORAL:
Base, Estolate or Stearate:
Children: 30 to 50 mg/kg orally per day, given in equally divided doses


Ethylsuccinate:
Children: 30 to 50 mg/kg orally per day, given in equally divided doses every 6 hours

Duration of therapy: 10 to 14 days

Comments:

Use: Treatment of intestinal amebiasis caused by E histolytica

Usual Pediatric Dose for Bacterial Endocarditis Prophylaxis

ORAL: 20 mg/kg (Maximum dose: 1000 mg) orally ONCE 1 hour prior to the procedure, then 10 mg/kg (Maximum dose: 500 mg) orally 6 hours later

Use: Prevention of bacterial endocarditis in patients with penicillin allergies and IHSS, most congenital cardiac malformations, previous history of bacterial endocarditis and mitral valve prolapse with insufficiency when they undergo dental/surgical procedures of the upper respiratory tract, prosthetic cardiac valves, and rheumatic/other acquired valvular dysfunction surgically constructed systemic pulmonary shunts

Usual Pediatric Dose for Rheumatic Fever Prophylaxis

ORAL:
Base or Stearate: 250 mg orally 2 times a day
Duration of therapy:


Comments:

Uses:

Usual Pediatric Dose for Nongonococcal Urethritis

ORAL:
Base or Stearate:
Conjunctivitis of the newborn: 12.5 mg/kg orally 4 times a day


Pneumonia of infancy: 12.5 mg/kg orally 4 times a day

Children: 30 to 50 mg/kg orally per day, given in equally divided doses

Ethylsuccinate:
Children: 30 to 50 mg orally every day, given in equally divided doses every 6 hours

Comments:

Uses:

US CDC Recommendations:
ORAL:
Base or Ethylsuccinate:
Ophthalmia neonatorum or infantile pneumonia:
Infants and children less than 45 kg: 50 mg/kg orally per day, given in 4 divided doses

Children:
Base: 500 mg orally 4 times a day
Ethylsuccinate: 800 mg orally 4 times a day
Duration of therapy: 7 days

Comment: Infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS) occurred in infants younger than 6 weeks of age; patients younger than 6 weeks receiving this drug should be monitored for signs/symptoms of IHPS.

Uses:

Usual Pediatric Dose for Chlamydia Infection

ORAL:
Base or Stearate:
Conjunctivitis of the newborn: 12.5 mg/kg orally 4 times a day


Pneumonia of infancy: 12.5 mg/kg orally 4 times a day

Children: 30 to 50 mg/kg orally per day, given in equally divided doses

Ethylsuccinate:
Children: 30 to 50 mg orally every day, given in equally divided doses every 6 hours

Comments:

Uses:

US CDC Recommendations:
ORAL:
Base or Ethylsuccinate:
Ophthalmia neonatorum or infantile pneumonia:
Infants and children less than 45 kg: 50 mg/kg orally per day, given in 4 divided doses

Children:
Base: 500 mg orally 4 times a day
Ethylsuccinate: 800 mg orally 4 times a day
Duration of therapy: 7 days

Comment: Infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS) occurred in infants younger than 6 weeks of age; patients younger than 6 weeks receiving this drug should be monitored for signs/symptoms of IHPS.

Uses:

Usual Pediatric Dose for Pertussis

ORAL:
Base, Ethylsuccinate, or Stearate:
Children: 40 to 50 mg/kg orally per day, given in divided doses


Comments:

Use: Treatment of pertussis (whooping cough) caused by B pertussis

Usual Pediatric Dose for Bacterial Infection

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Recommendations:
ORAL:
Neonates (up to 28 postnatal days): 10 mg/kg orally every 6 hours
Pediatric patients beyond the neonatal period: 40 to 50 mg/kg orally per day, given in 3 to 4 divided doses


PARENTERAL:
Neonates (up to 28 postnatal days): 10 mg/kg via IV every 6 hours
Pediatric patients beyond the neonatal period: 5 mg/kg IV (over at least 60 minutes) 4 times per day

Comments:

Use: Treatment of bacterial infections

Usual Pediatric Dose for Bacteremia

US HHS, US NIH, HRSA, and US CDC Recommendations:
ORAL/PARENTERAL:
Adolescents:
Bacillary angiomatosis, Bacteremia, Osteomyelitis, and Peliosis Hepatitis: 500 mg orally or IV every 6 hours
Other severe infections: 500 mg orally or IV every 6 hours PLUS rifampin
Duration of therapy: 3 months

Comment: Long-term suppression is recommended in patients with CD4 counts less than 200 cells/mcL if relapse occurs after an initial course of treatment.

Uses:


IDSA Recommendations:
ORAL:
Base, Estolate, Stearate: 40 mg/kg orally per day, given in divided doses 3 to 4 times a day

Comment: Some cases of impetigo caused by S aureus and S pyogenes strains may be resistant.

Use: Treatment of impetigo caused by Staphylococcus and Streptococcus species

Usual Pediatric Dose for Osteomyelitis

US HHS, US NIH, HRSA, and US CDC Recommendations:
ORAL/PARENTERAL:
Adolescents:
Bacillary angiomatosis, Bacteremia, Osteomyelitis, and Peliosis Hepatitis: 500 mg orally or IV every 6 hours
Other severe infections: 500 mg orally or IV every 6 hours PLUS rifampin
Duration of therapy: 3 months

Comment: Long-term suppression is recommended in patients with CD4 counts less than 200 cells/mcL if relapse occurs after an initial course of treatment.

Uses:


IDSA Recommendations:
ORAL:
Base, Estolate, Stearate: 40 mg/kg orally per day, given in divided doses 3 to 4 times a day

Comment: Some cases of impetigo caused by S aureus and S pyogenes strains may be resistant.

Use: Treatment of impetigo caused by Staphylococcus and Streptococcus species

Usual Pediatric Dose for Bartonellosis

US HHS, US NIH, HRSA, and US CDC Recommendations:
ORAL/PARENTERAL:
Adolescents:
Bacillary angiomatosis, Bacteremia, Osteomyelitis, and Peliosis Hepatitis: 500 mg orally or IV every 6 hours
Other severe infections: 500 mg orally or IV every 6 hours PLUS rifampin
Duration of therapy: 3 months

Comment: Long-term suppression is recommended in patients with CD4 counts less than 200 cells/mcL if relapse occurs after an initial course of treatment.

Uses:


IDSA Recommendations:
ORAL:
Base, Estolate, Stearate: 40 mg/kg orally per day, given in divided doses 3 to 4 times a day

Comment: Some cases of impetigo caused by S aureus and S pyogenes strains may be resistant.

Use: Treatment of impetigo caused by Staphylococcus and Streptococcus species

Usual Pediatric Dose for Impetigo

US HHS, US NIH, HRSA, and US CDC Recommendations:
ORAL/PARENTERAL:
Adolescents:
Bacillary angiomatosis, Bacteremia, Osteomyelitis, and Peliosis Hepatitis: 500 mg orally or IV every 6 hours
Other severe infections: 500 mg orally or IV every 6 hours PLUS rifampin
Duration of therapy: 3 months

Comment: Long-term suppression is recommended in patients with CD4 counts less than 200 cells/mcL if relapse occurs after an initial course of treatment.

Uses:


IDSA Recommendations:
ORAL:
Base, Estolate, Stearate: 40 mg/kg orally per day, given in divided doses 3 to 4 times a day

Comment: Some cases of impetigo caused by S aureus and S pyogenes strains may be resistant.

Use: Treatment of impetigo caused by Staphylococcus and Streptococcus species

Usual Pediatric Dose for Lyme Disease

IDSA Recommendations:
ORAL:
Early Lyme disease: 12.5 mg/kg orally 4 times a day


Comments:

Use: Alternative treatment for early Lyme disease, including borrelial lymphocyte and erythema migrans

Usual Pediatric Dose for Surgical Prophylaxis

ASHP, IDSA, SIS, and SHEA Recommendations:
ORAL:
Erythromycin base: 20 mg/kg orally ONCE


Use: Antibiotic for colorectal surgery prophylaxis

Usual Pediatric Dose for Skin and Structure Infection

IDSA Recommendations:
ORAL:
Base, Estolate, or Stearate: 20 mg/kg orally 2 times a day


Comments:

Use: Preferred management of recurrent cellulitis in patients with predisposing conditions (e.g., eczema, edema, obesity, toe web abnormalities, venous insufficiency)

Usual Pediatric Dose for Chancroid

US CDC Recommendations:
ORAL:
Adolescents:
Base: 500 mg orally 3 times a day


Comments:

Use: Treatment of genital ulcer disease in men due to H ducreyi (chancroid)

Usual Pediatric Dose for Granuloma Inguinale

US CDC Recommendations:
ORAL:
Adolescents:
Base: 500 mg orally 4 times a day


Comments:

Uses:

Usual Pediatric Dose for Lymphogranuloma Venereum

US CDC Recommendations:
ORAL:
Adolescents:
Base: 500 mg orally 4 times a day


Comments:

Uses:

Renal Dose Adjustments

Data not available

Liver Dose Adjustments

Base: Use with caution.
Ethylsuccinate, Lactate, and Stearate: Data not available

Dose Adjustments

Severe infections:


Patients unable to tolerate the recommended regimens:
Urogenital infections during pregnancy:
Base or Stearate: 250 mg orally 4 times a day, 333 mg orally 3 times a day, OR 500 mg orally 2 times a day

US CDC Recommendations:
Chlamydial Infections:
Base: 250 mg orally 4 times a day
Ethylsuccinate: 400 mg orally 4 times a day

Comment: Patients with gastrointestinal tolerance concerns may be started on 14-day treatment regimens.

Use: Alternative regimens in the treatment of chlamydial infections in patients with gastrointestinal tolerance concerns

Precautions

CONTRAINDICATIONS:


Consult WARNINGS section for additional precautions.

Dialysis

CONTRAINDICATIONS:


Consult WARNINGS section for additional precautions.

Other Comments

Administration advice:


Storage requirements:

Reconstitution/preparation techniques:

IV compatibility:

General:

Monitoring:

Patient advice:

Frequently asked questions

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.