Erythromycin/ Zinc

Registered South African indications:

• Acne vulgaris 

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to the active ingredient or any of the excipients in this combination product
• Hypersensitivity to other macrolides

Cautions

• Pregnancy 
• Breastfeeding
• Renal impairment 
• Hepatic impairment 
• Contact with eyes and mucous membranes

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

Acne vulgaris - moderate to severe

Erythromycin/ Zinc
40/12 (mg/ml)

• Topical (lot): Apply a liberal quantity to affected area, 12hrly; Treatment duration: 10-12 weeks

See additional prescribing points

See adult dosage 

Pregnancy

• Safe
• Topical erythromycin/zinc lotion can be used during pregnancy

Breastfeeding

• Caution
• Topical erythromycin/zinc lotion can be used during breastfeeding (but it should not be used on the chest)

Renal Impairment

• Caution; no information available

Hepatic Impairment

• Caution; no information available

Elderly

• No dose adjustment recommended

Porphyria Information

• Probably not porphyrinogenic (PNP)

Drugs in Sport

• Permitted - No warnings

Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders

• Pruritus
• Erythema
• Skin irritation
• Burning skin sensation
• Dry skin
• Skin exfoliation

Immune, Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders

• Hypersensitivity

• Lincomycin
• Clindamycin

None routine

Administrative directions 

• The lotion is applied by tilting the bottle downward and rubbing the applicator top over the skin while gently applying pressure
• The rate of flow may be controlled by increasing the pressure against the skin

Instructions for the preparation of the ready-made solution

• The box contains two bottles and an applicator with an applicator holder. Remove the caps from both bottles; retain the cap of the bottle with powder
• Pour the liquid from the one bottle into the bottle containing the powder
• Immediately shake the bottle for one minute. Remove and retain the cap
• Remove and fit the applicator into the cap of the bottle with the reconstituted lotion
• Push the cap with applicator onto the bottle and tighten
• Remove the cap from the bottle and ensure that the applicator fits firmly into the neck of the bottle
• Replace the cap on the bottle containing the reconstituted lotion
• The lotion may be kept for 8 weeks after preparation

Erythromycin
Erythromycin produces antibacterial activity due to the inhibition of RNA-dependent protein synthesis at the chain elongation step. It binds to the 50S ribosomal subunit resulting in blockage of transpeptidation.

Zinc
Zinc oxide has mild antiseptic action, and is useful for relieving the symptoms of nappy rash and other minor skin irritations.

COMBINATION PREPARATIONS

Erythromycin/ Zinc

Lotion (per ml) 40mg/12mg

• Zineryt (Adcock Ingram) originator