Erythromycin 250mg Tablets

What is Erythromycin?

Erythromycin is a prescription-only treatment that belongs to a group of medicines known as macrolide antibiotics.

Macrolide antibiotics work by killing bacteria responsible for causing and spreading infection and can be used to treat acute and chronic infections. 

Erythromycin is prescribed for a range of conditions, including chest infections like pneumonia, skin problems such as acne and rosacea, oral abscesses, and sexually transmitted diseases. 

You must have a prescription to buy Erythromycin tablets. 

What is Erythromycin used to treat?

Erythromycin 250mg tablets are typically prescribed to treat rosacea in people who are intolerant and unable to take other tetracycline antibiotics. 

When you use Erythromycin to treat acne or rosacea, it may take up to 2 months or longer before you start to see an improvement in your symptoms.

It is also prescribed for:

• Dental abscesses
• Sexually transmitted diseases
• Chest infections
• Ear and skin infections in children
• Scarlet fever 

Why is Erythromycin a recommended treatment for rosacea?

Erythromycin 250mg has been found to be a safe and effective treatment for rosacea in people who are allergic to tetracyclines. 

How does Erythromycin treat rosacea?

Erythromycin works by killing and stopping the spread of bacteria responsible for causing infection. By preventing bacteria from spreading, erythromycin limits the surface area in which the bacteria can grow and spread, eventually killing the bacteria. 

Who can use Erythromycin?

Do not take Erythromycin if:

• You are allergic to erythromycin or any of the other ingredients contained in this medicine
• You are allergic to any other macrolide antibiotics
• You have unusually low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood
• You or anyone in your family has a history of heart rhythm disorders or electrocardiogram abnormality
• You have any liver problems or have been informed that any medicines you are using may cause liver problems
• You have suffered diarrhoea after using antibiotics in the past
• You have heart problems
• You have triglycerides in the blood
• You are taking any medicines that are known to cause disturbances to the heart rhythm

Speak to your doctor before using Erythromycin if you suffer from myasthenia gravis.

Can you buy Erythromycin 250mg tablets over the counter?

No, you cannot buy Erythromycin over the counter. It must be prescribed by a doctor.

Can you buy Erythromycin 250mg tablets online?

You can buy Erythromycin 250mg tablets to treat the symptoms of rosacea online at Medicine Direct. You will be required to complete an online consultation as this treatment is a prescription-only medicine, meaning it needs to be prescribed to you by a doctor. 

Do not order medicine online unless it is from a regulated pharmacy, like Medicine Direct.

Erythromycin alternatives

There are a number of prescription alternatives to Erythromycin, all of which treat rosacea in different ways.

Other commonly prescribed rosacea treatments include:

• Soolanta cream helps to treat the redness and swelling caused by rosacea
• Rozex gel contains the powerful antibiotic Metronidazole, used to treat rosacea
• Mirvaso gel is specifically used in the treatment of facial erythema of rosacea
• Finacea gel contains Azelaic Acid and is highly effective at treating both acne and rosacea

Erythromycin 250mg tablets Indications and Dose

The recommended daily dose to treat Rosacea and Acne as per NICE guidance.

How to take Erythromycin

Swallow Erythromycin tablets whole with a drink of water. Do not crush or chew them.

It is recommended to take the tablets with food.

Try to space your doses evenly throughout the day, for example taking 1 tablet in the morning and one in the early evening.

Before using this medicine, please read the patient information leaflet, which will provide a step-by-step guide on how to take your tablets.

Erythromycin side effects

Common side effects affect more than 1 in every 100 people. They are usually nothing to worry about and will typically subside after a few days once your body has got used to the treatment.

• Nausea
• Vomiting or diarrhoea
• Bloating
• Indigestion
• Stomach cramps
• Loss of appetite

Tell your doctor if any of these side effects concern you or do not go away.

Before using this medicine we recommend reading the patient information leaflet in order to familiarise yourself with all of the potential side effects you may face.

Erythromycin Warnings and Drug Interactions

Before you take Erythromycin, it is important to inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are already taking any other form of medication.

See the NICE website for more information on medicines that interact with Erythromycin.

If you suffer from myasthenia gravis or any other health conditions, you should speak to your doctor before using Erythromycin.

Always read the patient information leaflet thoroughly for full details on warnings and precautions. 

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Women should not use Erythromycin while pregnant unless it has been prescribed by a doctor.

Speak to your doctor before taking this medication if you are pregnant, think you might be pregnant, are trying for a baby, or are breastfeeding.

If you are pregnant and have the sexually transmitted infection syphilis, Erythromycin may not be effective at preventing the transfer of this infection to your unborn child. Read more on taking Erythromycin during pregnacy and breastfeeding. 

Erythromycin Ingredients

The main active ingredient within this medicine is: Erythromycin

For a full list of the inactive ingredients, please read the Summary of Product Characteristics.

How much does it cost to buy Erythromycin tablets online in the UK?

Which bacteria does Erythromycin kill?

This medicine is a broad-spectrum macrolide antibiotic, which means it can be used to treat a number of bacterial infections. Erythromycin will work to kill the bacteria that causes the infection you have been prescribed the medicine for.

Can you drink alcohol while taking Erythromycin?

While there is not a specific warning about drinking alcohol during treatment, there is evidence to suggest that alcohol may delay or slow down Erythromycin from working. As a result, you may wish to stop drinking alcohol while taking this medicine.

What if it doesn’t work?

If you are using Erythromycin to treat a skin problem like acne or rosacea, you might need to take it for as long as two months before you start to notice any improvement. If no improvement occurs, your doctor may prescribe a different treatment. It is important you keep taking your medicine until they say otherwise.

Can you take Erythromycin to treat tonsillitis?

Taking Erythromycin twice a day can help to treat acute streptococcal tonsillitis. This should still be prescribed by a doctor.

Can Erythromycin give you thrush?

Thrush can be a side effect of taking antibiotics like Erythromycin. This is because antibiotics will also kill the normal bacteria that defends the body against thrush. If you get any thrush symptoms, speak to your doctor or pharmacist for guidance.

How long will Erythromycin stay in the system?

The elimination half-life of Erythromycin is around 2 hours.

What foods should I not eat while taking Erythromycin?

You should not drink grapefruit juice or eat any grapefruit food products while taking this medicine. This is because grapefruit can increase how much erythromycin is in the body, which puts you at a greater risk of side effects.

Does Erythromycin reduce fertility?

No firm evidence exists to suggest that this medicine will reduce a woman’s fertility. However, research has suggested that this medicine can slow down male sperm. This link has not definitely been identified and proven, though. If you are worried about Erythromycin affecting your fertility, speak to your doctor.

Will Erythromycin affect my contraception?

Erythromycin does not stop any type of contraception from working properly, including the morning after pill. Nonetheless, if you are sick or have diarrhoea as a result of taking Erythromycin, your contraceptive protection may be limited. Read the information that comes with your contraception for guidance on what to do if this happens.

When will I start to feel better?

For most types of infection, Erythromycin should make you feel better after a few days. If you are taking it for acne or rosacea, you will likely need to take the medicine for at least 2 months before your condition is noticeably improved. Keep taking Erythromycin until your doctor tells you to stop.