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Erythromycin User Reviews & Ratings

Brand names: Erythrocin, Ery-Tab, E-Mycin, EryPed, Erythrocin Lactobionate, Erythrocin Stearate Filmtab, PCE Dispertab, Wyamycin S, E.E.S. Granules, E.E.S.-200, E.E.S.-400, E.E.S.-400 Filmtab Erythrocot Eryc …show all brand names

Erythromycin has an average rating of 6.3 out of 10 from a total of 64 reviews on Drugs.com. 43% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 32% reported a negative experience.

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Reviews for Erythromycin

  • ell...
  • May 10, 2020

For Dental Abscess "I took 250 mg of erythromycin for a tooth infection as I’m allergic to penicillin. Side effects were pretty bad on the first few days, couldn’t eat, couldn’t get out of bed, diarrhea, fast heart rate. But after my body got used to it, the pain went after a few days of taking it. Dental pain is the worst pain I’ve ever experienced. I still can’t see my dentist because of this pandemic!!!"

8 / 10
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29 Report
  • JCB...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 17, 2022

For Dental Abscess "After three courses of amoxicillin over eight months, which didn't fix the abscess (and nor did the root canal treatment), I asked my dentist to prescribe erythromycin while waiting for the tooth to be extracted. Having experienced side effects from erythromycin last time I had it 17 years ago, I steeled myself for them again. Day four of taking them, and so far, all good. My usual IBS-related diarrhea has actually reversed since taking these antibiotics, and far from nausea, I'm permanently ravenously hungry. Sleeping better than I have in months and no dizziness or confusion so far. The best thing of all, for the first time in months, I don't have excruciating pain from the tooth and jaw. So don't be put off by the negative reviews on here, not everyone experiences the problems with erythromycin - mine are described as gastro-resistant, so maybe that's why they've been absolutely fine."

10 / 10
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16 Report
  • Blo...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • October 29, 2017

For Dental Abscess "I’ve had an abscess since Sept 5th, and it’s now October 29th. The dentist would not give me antibiotics until Oct 27th. I am allergic to penicillin, so that’s why I have this antibiotic. I’ve been using it for around 36 hours now, 1 every 6 hours, and I have had no side effects like others have had. For the first time since I got my abscess, I am not in constant pain. My tooth is still sensitive, but my glands have gone down, and my jaw is not hurting anymore."

10 / 10
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31 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • Nic...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 1, 2020

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "Not sure why acne isn't listed, but yeah, my GP recently gave me erythromycin as doxy just made my skin worse, and Lymecycline did nothing. I'm on 4 pills a day at 250 mg, and after 2 days, my redness has basically gone and I'm seeing improvement. The only bad thing is (can't say for sure it's this drug), but I currently have a cold and it hurts when I swallow anything. Never had a cold, believe it or not, in years, and I feel dizzy at times and have a lack of energy also, but to me, it's worth putting up with, seeing as I have had mild acne for 7 years and wasted hundreds of pounds on useless treatments. As for clearing, so far I have seen noticeable differences on my face. The spots are almost gone even, and the ones on my chest and back are fading. I will update you later on, as everyone knows how antibiotics work... normally stop working halfway through, or acne comes back."

7 / 10
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17 Report
  • Anonymous
  • November 20, 2008

For Upper Respiratory Tract Infection "I was prescribed to take the medication for sinus, inner ear, and chest infection. It made me terribly sick, so I stopped taking it. I know you're not supposed to stop and start, but I did three times. The most recent was after a medic on the set told me to eat yogurt, and the sickness would subside. He said it was something in the bioflavins that helped with the nausea. My entire body felt great once I stayed on the medication as prescribed. Take care!"

8 / 10
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40 Report

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  • Anonymous
  • October 1, 2009

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "This drug worked miracles for my skin, but the side effects are overwhelming. I constantly have an upset stomach and am always tired. I have to take this medicine right before bed so I can function throughout my day. Usually, when I wake up, I still feel some of the side effects, like an upset stomach."

5 / 10
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38 Report
  • ann...
  • January 4, 2014

For Dental Abscess "I'm currently taking it now, as I'm allergic to penicillin. I'm on my 3rd day. I've been getting really painful stomach cramps, hot sweats, and very loose stools. It's making me feel really ill, and it hasn't made my mouth feel any better at all. I'm going to give it one more day, then I'm going to stop taking it because it's obviously not for me."

2 / 10
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29 Report
  • kik...
  • June 30, 2012

For Dental Abscess "I was put on erythromycin for a tooth infection. It raised my blood pressure to 170/112. I stopped taking it when the course finished. I felt dizzy and out of sorts. My blood pressure is slowly decreasing now, but I still feel dizzy sometimes."

1 / 10
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32 Report
  • Lit...
  • November 15, 2009

For Upper Respiratory Tract Infection "I was prescribed this medication as I have a chest infection. I had a really bad cough for around 3 weeks, after 2 days of taking this, my cough was so much better. EXCEPT that around the same time my cough significantly improved, I felt so nauseous."

9 / 10
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36 Report
  • Hel...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 1, 2021

For Dental Abscess "For tooth infection, I was prescribed 2 erythromycin x 250 mg pills 4 x per day for 7 days. Altogether 56 pills. Now, after 1 day, I didn’t sleep all night because of stomach cramps, diarrhea, almost vomited 3 times, and I feel very, very sick. My tooth pain is better, but I never felt like this. There are definitely better options for people allergic to penicillin, as I know that I took some antibiotics before and felt normal. I will see in a few hours if the situation is any better, as I am due to take another dose. Might go with 50%."

2 / 10
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11 Report
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • March 21, 2019

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "I've taken erythromycin (for acne) for close to 70-80 days now, and I have to say I have had no side effects, and my skin hasn't had more than one spot in 4 months (I can't see erythromycin listed for acne here, but it works!), or maybe it helps that I also got myself out of a stressful work environment too, but the erythromycin definitely works."

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15 Report
  • Iga...
  • October 14, 2020

For Dental Abscess "Treated with erythromycin for a dental abscess and toothache that I suffered for a while. I couldn't sleep for the first night. Abnormal heart rate and nausea, so I reduced the dosage, and I felt a lot better, but it took a bit longer to complete. I am all good now, haven't had any dental issues since then (Nov 2019)."

10 / 10
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11 Report
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 8, 2012

For Middle Ear Infections "I'm taking this due to ear and sinus infection and swollen lymph nodes. I'm allergic to penicillin, so the doctor gave me these. Seems to be working on the infection, but slowly. I have to take 500 mg 2x a day. It gives me terrible stomach cramps and pain, but after I eat, the pain goes away. I'm just very lazy, tired, and my brain is cloudy. Don't feel like myself. Not sure if it's due to my illness or the medicine. Drink a lot of water. Hope you feel better!"

7 / 10
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24 Report
  • Dee...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 11, 2023

"I had to take this medication 4 times a day for a rare UTI pathogen. After the third dose, I was in the fetal position, on the ground, in the worst abdominal pain of my life. The next day I tried taking more doses with food, and my stomach continued to hurt. The third day, I took my morning dose and realized I couldn’t keep taking it. My heart was racing, and I became so dizzy I almost fell over. A week later, I am now suffering from gastritis that has left me unable to eat or go to work. I spend most of my days in bed trying to get relief from Pepcid, Tums, Pepto, you name it. I'm a registered nurse, and I'm telling you, this medication has made me the sickest I’ve ever been."

1 / 10
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5 Report
  • Mom...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • March 11, 2020

For Campylobacter Gastroenteritis "My son has been on this for almost 3 years now to help his gastroparesis and decreased intestinal transit time. It is a pretty common drug for this condition and works great! No side effects for him. He does have to take drug holidays and adjust the dose a couple of times a year, but this is a very helpful med!"

10 / 10
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11 Report
  • Jud...
  • March 26, 2016

For Upper Respiratory Tract Infection "This antibiotic is the best, hands down. The Z pack doesn't even come close to this. I take this when I get really bad sinus infections that go into my chest, and I start feeling better within a couple of days. I specifically ask my doctor for this when I get sick because it's the one that really works."

10 / 10
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17 Report
  • Jes...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 16, 2022

For Strep Throat "I was prescribed erythromycin for a nasty case of strep throat, and as I am allergic to penicillin. I was worried about potential side effects, as I am yet to have a good experience with antibiotics. However, I was pleasantly surprised to not experience any side effects! It cleared up my strep throat very, very quickly, and I had a really great experience with it. I’m happy to know that it works well for me and I don’t experience any side effects. I hope that it works well for others too."

10 / 10
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6 Report
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 27, 2015

For Dental Abscess "This medicine gave me extreme upper abdominal pain and vomiting, and I felt so unwell I couldn't sleep! My infection was slightly better after 3 days, but I had to stop taking this medicine as it was making me too unwell! Stay away from this medicine and find an alternative!"

1 / 10
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17 Report
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 4, 2012

For Bronchitis "I've been taking it for two days since I am allergic to penicillins. I guess I feel better with the bronchitis, but I have bad leg cramps, and my stomach stays upset and has had horrible diarrhea. Side effects might not be worth it."

6 / 10
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20 Report
  • Big...
  • October 16, 2009

For Upper Respiratory Tract Infection "I have been diagnosed with COPD and IBS and acid reflux, unfortunately, and I also had developed a chest infection on Monday. My doctor prescribed erythromycin 200 mg tablets. This is Friday, and I feel a lot better. Thank you very much for this discovery."

10 / 10
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23 Report
  • Sha...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • December 31, 2020

For Dental Abscess "As someone else said, it takes a while to beat the infection and, as a result, takes a bit longer to reduce swelling and pain, but after roughly 2.5 days, it looks like things are getting much better. I was taking 200 mg of ibuprofen every 6 hours for the pain/swelling, but this next one might be my last one. So hang in there and do NOT stop taking the course (usually 7-10 days). You risk promoting resistant bacterial growth. I have had minor stomach issues due to it (diarrhea one day), but I always made sure I took it after a meal to reduce these side effects. I’d much rather have a day or two of mild diarrhea than intense tooth pain."

8 / 10
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7 Report
  • Em1...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 4, 2019

For Strep Throat "I was given erythromycin for both tonsillitis and urinary tract infection, as I am allergic to penicillin. I was fine after the first 6-8 hours, however, when I went to bed, I suffered from severe stomach pains and severe vomiting and nausea. I continued to take it, however, it was becoming too severe, so I discontinued and went back to ADOC (doctor on call). I do not recommend this medication, it is truly horrible on the stomach."

1 / 10
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8 Report
  • Ban...
  • August 30, 2020

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "Used to take these erythromycin for a year when I was 15 for acne and had no side effects. Now is a different story. Got an ingrown hair that had gotten infected. For four days, I have been sick, had explosive diarrhea, and agonizing stomach cramps coupled with no appetite. I had to take 2 x 250mg tablets 4 times a day. I have been in bed for days as I'm wiped out. Phoned a walk-in center and they told me to stop taking them immediately. Never again."

2 / 10
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7 Report
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • September 20, 2020

For Dental Abscess "I’m allergic to penicillin, so was prescribed erythromycin for a tooth infection. On day 2.5. Still have the pain, however, I must say it did make me feel awful with the side effects the first 2 days! Nausea, cramps, etc., but I now find on day 3 my body is getting used to it, so will finish the course and hope it clears up my toothache, which is excruciating!!!"

5 / 10
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6 Report
  • Ann...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • October 1, 2020

For Dental Abscess "Started taking erythromycin for a dental abscess after previously having amoxicillin six weeks prior. Day one: stomach cramps, sickness, vomiting. This continued for at least two days. I am now on day four and still feeling ill, stomach pain has subsided, but I feel dizzy and generally unwell. I will finish the course and never take it again. Dental pain is improved, but I'm not at the end of the course yet, so we’ll see!"

4 / 10
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6 Report
Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.