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E-Mycin (erythromycin)
Erythromycin is the original macrolide antibiotic, approved in 1952. While largely replaced by newer macrolides, it remains important as a prokinetic for gastroparesis and for neonatal eye prophylaxis. Available generically. WHO Essential Medicine.
At a glance
| Generic name | erythromycin |
|---|---|
| Also known as | E-Mycin, Ery-Tab, EES, Erythrocin |
| Sponsor | Generic (originally Abbott/Lilly) |
| Drug class | Macrolide [EPC] |
| Target | Aldehyde oxidase, Bile salt export pump, Cytochrome P450 1B1 |
| Modality | Small molecule (natural product) |
| Therapeutic area | Immunology |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
| First approval | 1952-01-01 (United States) |
Approved indications
- Acne vulgaris
- Acute bacterial sinusitis
- Acute gonococcal cervicitis
- Acute gonococcal endometritis
- Acute gonococcal urethritis
- Acute otitis media
- Bacterial pneumonia
- Chlamydia Cervicitis
- Chlamydial conjunctivitis
- Chlamydial pneumonia
- Diphtheria
- Erythrasma
- Gonorrhea
- Gonorrhea of rectum
- Haemophilus Influenzae Acute Otitis Media
- Infection due to Staphylococcus aureus
- Infection of skin AND/OR subcutaneous tissue
- Infective otitis media
- Legionnaires' Disease
- Listeriosis
Common side effects
Key clinical trials
- Azithromycin in the Treatment of Cryptosporidiosis in Patients With Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS): A Randomized, Multi-Center, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Study (NA)
- Effects of Azithromycin Treatment on Anti-viral Immunity in Patients With Asthma and COPD - A Randomized Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial (Phase 4)
- Risk of Acute Liver Injury in Users of Antimicrobials in the HealthCore Integrated Research Database Population (N/A)
- A Multi-center, Randomized, Double-blind, Parallel-group, Active-controlled, Phase III Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of DWP14012-based Triple Therapy in Eradication of Helicobacte (Phase 3)
- Personalized Treatment for Refractory H Pylori Infection (NA)
- A Randomized Trial of Standard vs Half Dose Rabeprazole, Clarithromycin, Metronidazole and Amoxicillin in the Treatment of Helicobacter Pylori Infection (Phase 4)
- Randomized, Double Blind, Controlled Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy of Multiple-dose Ciprofloxacin With Single Dose Azithromycin Therapy for Adults With Cholera Due to Multiply Resistant Stra (Phase 3)
- The Effect of Antibiotics on Latency in Previable Prelabor Rupture of Membranes Between 18 0/7 and 22 6/7 Weeks Gestational Age (Phase 4)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| FDA label | Mechanism, indications, dosing, boxed warnings, drug interactions |
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |