ERA (Erythromycin 500mg)

ERA general information

What is ERA used for?

ERA tablets 500mg are an antibiotic used to treat a variety of mild to moderate infections caused by certain susceptible types of bacteria in different areas of the body.  These include lower respiratory tract infections like pneumonia and bronchitis, and upper respiratory tract infections like laryngitis, pharyngitis and otitis media (ear infection); skin, soft tissue and eye infections and some gastrointestinal infections.  ERA tablets 500mg may also be used as an alternative treatment for primary syphilis in patients allergic to penicillin antibiotics; and for specific infectious diseases like Legionnaire's disease.  ERA tablets 500mg are also used to for long-term prophylaxis to prevent infections of rheumatic fever where there is a history of rheumatic fever, and to prevent bacterial endocarditis in people with congenital heart disease, who are allergic to penicillin antibiotics. 

How does ERA work?

ERA tablets 500mg contain erythromycin, an antibiotic belonging to the macrolides group of antibiotics.  Erythromycin in ERA tablets 500mg is effective against a wide range of bacteria including Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Haemophilus, Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia trachomatis and works by blocking bacterial protein synthesis so that the bacteria cannot produce proteins that are needed for its survival.  This action of erythromycin in ERA tablets 500mg stops the growth of the bacteria and prevents the spread of bacterial infection, relieving symptoms of the bacterial infection, which include inflammation and pain.  ERA tablets 500mg do not work against viruses which use a different mechanism to grow and replicate.

What does ERA contain?

ERA tablets 500mg contain the active ingredient erythromycin, as erythromycin ethyl succinate, an antibiotic used to treat and prevent a wide range of bacterial infections.  They also contain hypromellose, macrogol 400, Macrogol 8000, magnesium hydroxide, maize starch, polacrillin potassium, povidone, sorbic acid

Treating bacterial infection with ERA

ERA tablets 500mg contain erythromycin, a macrolides antibiotic used to treat a wide range of bacterial infections caused by various susceptible bacteria in different areas of the body.  These include lower respiratory tract infections like pneumonia and bronchitis, and upper respiratory tract infections like laryngitis, pharyngitis and otitis media (ear infection); skin, soft tissue and eye infections and some gastrointestinal infections.  ERA tablets 500mg may also be used an alternative treatment for primary syphilis in patients allergic to penicillin antibiotics; and for specific infectious diseases like Legionnaire's disease.  ERA tablets 500mg are also used to for long-term prophylaxis to prevent infections of rheumatic fever where there is a history of rheumatic fever, and to prevent bacterial endocarditis in people with congenital heart disease, who are allergic to penicillin antibiotics.  Erythromycin in ERA tablets 500mg works by blocking bacterial protein synthesis so that the bacteria cannot produce proteins that are needed for its survival.  This action of erythromycin in ERA tablets 500mg stops the growth of the bacteria and prevents the spread of bacterial infection, relieving symptoms of the bacterial infection, which include inflammation and pain. 

What are the side effects of ERA?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking ERA tablets 500mg include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, oral thrush (white, furry, sore tongue and mouth) and vaginal thrush (sore and itchy vagina, vaginal discharge). 

When should ERA not be used?

You should not use ERA tablets 500mg if you:

• are allergic to erythromycin, any other macrolide or ketolide antibiotic or any ingredients in ERA
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have liver disease
• have certain heart conditions
• have myasthenia gravis, a neuromuscular condition causing severe muscle weakness.
• are taking medicines that interact with ERA including theophylline for respiratory disease, the immunosuppressant cyclosporine, digoxin for heart failure, ritonavir for HIV, anticoagulants such as coumarin and warfarin, ergot derivatives such as ergotamine for migraines, benzodiazepines for sleep problems, sildenafil for erectile dysfunction, anticonvulsants like carbamazepine and phenytoin, bromocriptine for Parkinson's Disease, antiarrhythmics like amiodarone, antipsychotics like risperidone, haloperidol and pimozide, cisapride for gastrointestinal motility

What medications interact with ERA?

Several medications interact with ERA tablets 500mg and should either not be taken while you are taking ERA or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that cause a serious reaction with ERA: antiarrhythmics like amiodarone, antipsychotics like risperidone, haloperidol and pimozide, cisapride for gastrointestinal motility
• Drugs that affect ERA: theophylline for respiratory disease
• Drugs that are affected by ERA: the immunosuppressant cyclosporine, digoxin for heart failure, ritonavir for HIV, anticoagulants such as coumarin and warfarin, ergot derivatives such as ergotamine for migraines, benzodiazepines for sleep problems, sildenafil for erectile dysfunction, anticonvulsants like carbamazepine and phenytoin, bromocriptine for Parkinson's Disease

How should ERA be taken?

You should take your ERA tablets 500mg swallowed whole with a glass of water with or without food, once or twice daily depending on what you are being treated for.  The dose you take should depend on what you are being treated for and your doctor’s recommendation.  You should continue to take your ERA tablets 500mg for as long as recommended by your doctor, which is usually 7-14 days and you should not stop taking your ERA tablets 500mg even if you feel better.

How long should you take ERA?

You should continue to take your ERA tablets 500mg for as long as recommended by your doctor, which is usually 7-14 days and you should not stop taking your ERA tablets 500mg even if you feel better.

Missed dose of ERA

If you miss a dose of ERA tablets 500mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should ERA be stored?

You should store your ERA tablets 500mg below 25°C in a cool dry place.