Erythromycin: Price, Dosage & Where to Buy

Erythromycin is an antibiotic in the macrolide class, used to treat infections caused by bacteria that are sensitive to it. The eye ointment is used for superficial bacterial infections affecting the surface of the eye, including the conjunctiva or cornea. Erythromycin is available as a generic medicine and requires a prescription in the United Kingdom.

Erythromycin eye ointment treats superficial eye infections caused by bacteria that are sensitive to erythromycin. These infections involve the conjunctiva, the thin tissue covering the white of the eye, or the cornea, the clear front surface of the eye. The ointment is also used to prevent certain eye infections in newborn babies caused by gonorrhoea or chlamydia bacteria.

Its effectiveness in preventing infections caused by penicillinase-producing gonorrhoea bacteria has not been established. For babies born to mothers with clinically apparent gonorrhoea, eye ointment alone is inadequate and injected antibiotic treatment is needed.

Erythromycin belongs to the macrolide group of antibiotics. These antibiotics interfere with the machinery that bacteria use to make proteins. Bacteria need these proteins to grow and multiply, so blocking their production helps control an infection.

The eye ointment brings the antibiotic into contact with bacteria on the surface of the eye. Its effect depends on whether the bacteria causing the infection are sensitive to erythromycin.

The label lists eye ointment containing 5 mg/g of erythromycin. The label lists approximately 1 cm of eye ointment up to six times daily for superficial eye infections, depending on their severity. The label lists approximately 1 cm of ointment in each lower conjunctival sac for prevention of gonococcal or chlamydial eye infection in newborn babies.

The ointment is not to be flushed from the eye afterwards, and a new tube is used for each infant. These dosing details concern the eye ointment, rather than the oral or skin preparations. Erythromycin is also available as oral capsules and tablets, and as skin gel, solution and swabs.

A missed dose can interrupt the prescribed antibiotic treatment schedule. General pharmacy advice is to resume when remembered unless the next scheduled dose is nearly due.

Avoid doubling a dose to make up for a missed one. A pharmacist can clarify how this applies to the prescribed preparation.

The eye ointment label does not specify pregnancy or breastfeeding data. Discuss use during pregnancy or breastfeeding with a doctor or pharmacist. The listed use for preventing eye infections in newborn babies does not establish safety during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

The eye ointment label specifies storage between 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F). Keep it out of reach of children. Follow the storage directions on the pack to maintain quality.