Erythromycin Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 28, 2024.

Applies to erythromycin: oral capsule delayed release, oral powder for suspension, oral tablet, oral tablet delayed release, oral tablet enteric coated.

Other dosage forms:

• capsule, powder for suspension, suspension, tablet, tablet chewable
• intravenous powder for solution

Serious side effects of erythromycin

Along with its needed effects, erythromycin may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking erythromycin:

Other side effects of erythromycin

Some side effects of erythromycin may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to erythromycin: compounding powder, injectable powder for injection, oral capsule, oral delayed release capsule, oral delayed release tablet, oral granule for reconstitution, oral suspension, oral tablet, oral tablet chewable, oral tablet coated particles.

General

The most commonly reported side effect included localized irritation, abdominal cramping, abdominal discomfort, and decreased appetite.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Common (1% to 10%): Abdominal cramping, abdominal pain, diarrhea, flatulence, infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis, nausea, severe non¬-bilious vomiting, soft defecation, vomiting
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Abdominal discomfort, oral candidiasis
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Pancreatitis, pseudomembranous colitis
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Spastic hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (in children)^[Ref]

Abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting may occur with treatment, and appear to be dose-related.

In a study with 157 infants given oral formations for pertussis prophylaxis, 7 (approximately 5%) developed irritability with feeding and severe, non-bilious vomiting associated with IHPS.

Pseudomembranous colitis may occur during or after treatment.^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Common (1% to 10%): Anorexia, decreased appetite^[Ref]

Anorexia may occur with treatment, and appears to be dose-related.^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Common (1% to 10%): Thrombophlebitis
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Chest pain, palpitations
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Atypical ventricular tachycardia, palpitations, QT interval prolongation/QT prolongation, torsade de pointes, ventricular arrhythmias/fatal ventricular arrhythmias
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Cardiac arrhythmias
• Frequency not reported: Cardiac rhythmic disorders, hypotension, ventricular tachyarrhythmias, ventricular tachycardia^[Ref]

Local

• Common (1% to 10%): Local irritation
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Venous irritation
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Pain, vessel trauma^[Ref]

Slow infusion of diluted parenteral formulations (continuously or intermittently via IV over no less than 20 to 60 minutes) may alleviate venous trauma and pain.^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Common (1% to 10%): Muscle spasms
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Joint swelling, rhabdomyolysis
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Myasthenia gravis unmasking, myasthenia gravis worsening^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Common (1% to 10%): Irritability with feeding
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Neonatal irritability
• Frequency not reported: Confusion, confusional state, hallucinations^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Erythema, exanthema, mild rash, pruritus, urticaria, urticarial exanthema
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Erythema multiforme, mild skin eruptions, skin reactions, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis
• Frequency not reported: Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP), bullous fixed eruptions, eczema, rashes with/without pruritus, skin eruptions, upper abdominal discomfort^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Alkaline phosphatase elevations, ALT elevations, AST elevations, elevation of liver enzymes, GGT elevations
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Cholestasis, cholestatic jaundice
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Abnormal liver function test results, hepatitis, hepatomegaly, liver dysfunction with/without jaundice, liver failure
• Frequency not reported: Cholestatic hepatitis, hepatocellular hepatitis, jaundice, liver dysfunction^[Ref]

Abnormal liver function test results, hepatitis, and/or liver dysfunction may occur with oral formulations.^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Overgrowth of nonsusceptible bacteria, overgrowth of nonsusceptible fungi^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hypersensitivity
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Allergic edema, allergic reactions, anaphylactic reaction, anaphylactic shock, anaphylaxis, angioedema
• Frequency not reported: Serious allergic reactions^[Ref]

Other

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Reversible hearing loss
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Pyrexia
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Deafness, reversible deafness, tinnitus
• Frequency not reported: Discomfort, fever, malaise^[Ref]

Reversible hearing loss was more frequently reported in patients with renal or liver dysfunction.

Older patients, especially those with liver and/or renal dysfunction, may be at higher risk of developing increased risk of hearing loss, especially when given doses of at least 4 grams/day.^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Vaginal candidiasis^[Ref]

Endocrine

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) elevations^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Central nervous system (CNS) damage, convulsions, seizures
• Frequency not reported: Dizziness, headache, mitochondrial optic neuropathy, somnolence, transient CNS side effects, vertigo^[Ref]

Renal

• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Damage to the kidneys
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Tubulointerstitial nephritis
• Frequency not reported: Interstitial nephritis^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Damage to the blood
• Frequency not reported: Eosinophilia^[Ref]

Ocular

• Frequency not reported: Blurred vision, diplopia, visual impairment^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Frequency not reported: Asthmatic states, dyspnea^[Ref]

Frequently asked questions

• What causes black hairy tongue?
• What are enteric-coated tablets?
• Can you take antibiotics while pregnant?

Further information

Erythromycin side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

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