Erythromycin

Registered South African indications:

• Acne vulgaris

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to the active ingredient or any of the excipients
• Hypersensitivity to other macrolide antibiotics

Cautions

• Pregnancy
• Breastfeeding 
• Renal impairment
• Hepatic impairment
• Porphyria
• Use around the eyes or contact with mucous membranes
• Coadministration with other topical acne preparations, particularly abrasive agents (See additional prescribing points)

Forms avail. in SA and covered in this monograph: sol

South African manufacturer recommendations

Acne vulgaris - moderate/ primary grades II and III
- In which comedones, papules and pustules predominate

• Topical (sol): Apply small quantity to affected area(s), 12hrly

Wash with soap and water prior to application

Apply with applicator to lesions

Use is not recommended for deep, cystic nodular varieties (acne conglobata)

No information available

Pregnancy

• Caution
• The safety of use of this preparation in pregnant women has not been established

Breastfeeding

• Caution; no information available 

Renal Impairment

• Caution; no information available  

Hepatic Impairment

• Caution; no information available 

Elderly

• No dose adjustment recommended

Porphyria Information

• Not yet classified (NC)

Drugs in Sport

• Permitted - No warnings

Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders

• Primary irritation
• Allergic contact dermatitis
• Dryness
• Pruritus
• Erythema
• Desquamation
• Burning sensation
• Overgrowth of antibiotic-resistant organisms on the skin

• Other topical acne preparations (See additional prescribing points)

None routine

Coadministration with other topical acne preparations

• Concomitant topical acne therapy should be used with caution because cumulative irritant effect may occur, especially with the use of abrasive agents

Erythromycin, a macrolide antibiotic, interferes with bacterial protein synthesis by binding to the 50S subunit of ribosomes of sensitive organisms. Although the mechanism of action of erythromycin solution in reducing inflammatory lesions of acne vulgaris has not been conclusively shown, it is presumably due to its antibiotic action on sensitive bacteria, and in reducing follicular porphyrin fluorescence and free fatty acid levels of skin lipids. 

Lotion (per ml) 20mg

• Ilotycin TS (Pharmacare)

Lotion (per 60ml) 1200mg

• Eryderm (Abbott) originator

Solution (per 100ml) 2g

• Stiemycin (GKS) originator

COMBINATION PREPARATION

Erythromycin/ Zinc Acetate

Lotion (per ml) 40mg/ 12mg

• Zineryt (Astellas) originator