Tiloryth

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Nausea and vomiting

Abdominal pain

Diarrhoea

Reversible hearing loss (usually only after large doses)

Abnormal heart beats (arrhythmias)

Disturbances of liver function

Inflammation of the liver (hepatitis)

Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)

Allergic skin reactions

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How can this medicine affect other medicines?

It is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already taking, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with this medicine. Similarly, ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medicines while taking this one, so they can check that the combination is safe.

You should not take indigestion remedies, such as antacids, at the same time of day as Tiloryth capsules, as these could affect the absorption of the medicine from the Tiloryth capsules.

Erythromycin must not be taken by people taking any of the following medicines, because the combination may result in an increased risk of serious side effects:

amisulpride

astemizole

cisapride

eletriptan

ergotamine

dihydroergotamine

ivabradine

mizolastine

moxifloxacin

pimozide

sertindole

simvastatin

terfenadine

tolterodine.

Erythromycin may also increase the blood levels of the following medicines:

alfentanil

bromocriptine

buspirone

carbamazepine

ciclosporin

cilostazol

clozapine

digoxin

disopyramide

felodipine

galantamine

lercanidipine

methylprednisolone and possibly other corticosteroids

midazolam

phenytoin

quetiapine

quinidine

reboxetine

rifabutin

sildenafil

sirolimus

tacrolimus

tadalafil

theophylline (in addition theophylline may decrease the blood level of erythromycin, making it less effective)

triazolam and possibly alprazolam

valproate

vardenafil

vinblastine

zopiclone.

If the blood levels of these medicines are raised by erythromycin it may lead to an increase in the effects of these medicines, but also a possible increased risk of their side effects. Combined use should therefore be well monitored. If you are taking one of these medicines and are prescribed erythromycin you should let your doctor or pharmacist know if you experience any new or increased side effects.

Erythromycin may also increase the blood levels and hence anti-blood-clotting effects of the anticoagulants nicoumalone and warfarin. As this may increase the risk of bleeding, people taking these combinations, particularly elderly people, may need more frequent monitoring of their blood clotting time (INR) so the dose of anticoagulant can be adjusted if necessary.

If erythromycin is taken with cholesterol-lowering medicines known as statins, eg atorvastatin and lovastatin, it may increase the risk of side effects on the muscles (myopathy). Erythromycin should be avoided in people taking simvastatin.

The following medicines may increase the blood level of erythromycin, thereby increasing the risk of its side effects:

azole antifungals, such as itraconazole or ketoconazole

cimetidine

diltiazem

protease inhibitors for HIV infection, such as ritonavir, lopinavir, saquinavir and amprenavir

verapamil.

There may be an increased risk of abnormal heart beats if erythromycin is taken in combination with any of the following medicines:

amiodarone

antimalarials, eg chloroquine, quinine, mefloquine, halofantrine

certain antipsychotics, eg chlorpromazine, thioridazine, fluphenazine, haloperidol

disopyramide

quinidine.

If you are taking a combined oral contraceptive pill or are using contraceptive patches, there may be a very low risk that this antibiotic may make it less effective at preventing pregnancy. Although the risk of this is very low, the personal and ethical consequences of an unwanted pregnancy can be very serious. For this reason, the Family Planning Association recommends that women using a combined contraceptive pill or patch should use an extra method of contraception (eg condoms) while taking a short course of broad-spectrum antibiotic, and for seven days after finishing the course. If the seven days run beyond the end of a pill packet, a new packet should be started without a break (in the case of ED pills the inactive tablets should be omitted). If the seven days run beyond the 3 weeks of patch treatment, a new treatment cycle should be started immediately without a patch-free break.

Other medicines containing the same active ingredient

Brands of erythromycin that are taken by mouth:

Erymax	Erythrocin	Erythroped
Rommix

Erythromycin tablets, capsules and suspension are also available without a brand name, ie as the generic medicine.

Brands of erythromycin that are applied to the skin for treating acne:

Eryacne

Stiemycin

<<Go To Page 1

The documents contained in this web site are presented for information purposes only. The material is in no way intended to replace professional medical care or attention by a qualified practitioner. The materials in this web site cannot and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or choice of treatment. Conditions for use



© Copyright 1998 - 2004 NetDoctor.co.uk - All rights reserved