Erythromycin in Armageddon

Erythromycin,
a macrolide antibiotic like azithromycin, destroys Gram-positive bacteria from
the inside out by inhibiting the cell’s ability to replicate and grow.  Due to the potential for causing nausea and
cramping, it is less popular, but it has some distinct advantages to warrant
including it in your medicine chest.  Erythromycin,
also sold as Fish-Mycin by Thomas Labs, can safely be used in children and
pregnant women.  It is also an
alternative to penicillin in those patients who are allergic to the latter.

The
following information comes directly from The
Ship’s Medicine Chest and Medical Aid at Sea, a government publication:

“Erythromycin Tablets, 250 mg

USE:  For a variety of
susceptible infections.  Give this
antibiotic only when medical advice from a physician has been received by
radio.  It may be useful for patients
allergic to penicillin, and for some infections resistant to penicillin.

ADULT DOSAGE:  One 250
mg tablet, four times a day (for serious infections dosage may be increased to
two 250 mg tablets, four times a day); and continued for 48 hours or more after symptoms have subsided.

CAUTION: 
Occasionally, a skin rash may develop which will require that the drug
be discontinued.  If the drug is discontinued due to a sensitivity reaction, medical
advice by radio should be obtained on alternate therapy.  Sometimes abdominal discomfort, cramping, or
nausea and vomiting may occur; these complaints usually diminish as therapy
continues.”[i]

Erythromycin is most frequently used to treat the following
infections:

• Dental infections[ii]
• Gastrointestinal
• Campylobacter
• 250-500 mg, 3 times per day, 5 days (but be
  aware that erythromycin can also cause diarrhea)[iii]
•  250-500 mg, 4 times per day, 7-14 days[iv]
• Cholera, 500 mg, 4 times per day, 3 days[v]
• Respiratory
• Bronchitis (only if caused by bacteria)
• 250-500 mg, 4 times per day, 7-14 days[vi]
• Diphtheria, 14 days[vii]
• Ear infections (keep in mind that many are
  resistant to erythromycin)[viii]
• 250-500 mg, 4 times per day, 7-14 days[ix]
• Pneumonia
• 250-500 mg, 4 times per day, 7-14 days[x]
• Whooping cough
• 250-500 mg, 4 times per day[xi]
• Skin
• Cellulitis
• 250-500 mg, 4 times per day, 7-14 days[xii]
• Dog and cat bites
• 250-500 mg 3-4 times per day
• 3-7 days to prevent an infection after a bite
• 7-10 days to treat an infection that has
  developed after a bite[xiii]
• Infected eczema[xiv]
• Infected burns (usually only in a
  penicillin-allergic patient)
• Treat for 2 days beyond resolution of infection[xv]
• Infected insect bites or stings (usually only in
  penicillin-allergic patient)[xvi]
• Lyme disease
• 250-500 mg, 4 times per day, 7-14 days[xvii]
• Urogenital
• Chlamydia
• 250-500 mg, 4 times per day, 7-14 days[xviii]
• Gonorrhea
• 250-500 mg, 4 times per day, 7-14 days[xix]
• Syphilis (early)
• 250-500 mg, 4 times per day, 7-14 days[xx]

Erythromycin is commonly used in children.  Dosages administered to children are
calculated by weight, 50 mg/kg/day divided into four doses given every six
hours.  For all patients, erythromycin
should be taken with a glass of water on an empty stomach.

Side effects:  Side
effects that may occur with use include mild diarrhea, abdominal cramps,
nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite.[xxi]

Caution:  Erythromycin
interacts with many drugs, including those for blood pressure and high
cholesterol, as well as other antibiotics. 
While its use in breastfeeding women is generally safe, the baby should
be monitored for diarrhea or rashes.[xxii]

Links to related posts:

Acquiring Antibiotics

Azithromycin

Cellulitis 

Dog and Cat Bites

Antibiotic reference chart for guiding purchases

STDs

Cholera

Pneumonia

Campylobacter