Class: Antibacterials
CAS Number: 114-07-08
Introduction
Antibacterial; macrolide antibiotic.
Uses for Erythromycin (EENT)
Bacterial Ophthalmic Infections
Topical treatment of superficial infections of the eye involving the conjunctiva and/or cornea caused by susceptible bacteria.
Mild, acute bacterial conjunctivitis often resolves spontaneously without anti-infective treatment. Although topical ophthalmic anti-infectives may shorten time to resolution and reduce severity and risk of complications, avoid indiscriminate use of topical anti-infectives.
Treatment of acute bacterial conjunctivitis generally is empiric; use of a broad-spectrum topical ophthalmic antibacterial usually recommended. In vitro staining and/or cultures of conjunctival material indicated in diagnosis and management of all cases of suspected infectious conjunctivitis in neonates, all cases of suspected gonococcal or chlamydial conjunctivitis, and may be indicated in management of recurrent, severe, or chronic purulent conjunctivitis or when acute conjunctivitis does not respond to initial empiric topical treatment.
Bacterial conjunctivitis caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae requires treatment with systemic anti-infectives (e.g., IM or IV ceftriaxone) with or without topical anti-infectives. Topical anti-infectives alone are inadequate for treatment of ophthalmia neonatorum caused by N. gonorrhoeae; some experts state that adjunctive use of topical anti-infectives unnecessary when appropriate systemic anti-infectives used.
Chlamydial Ophthalmic Infections
Has been used topically in the treatment of conjunctivitis secondary to trachoma caused by Chlamydia trachomatis†; however, systemic anti-infectives (usually oral azithromycin) are recommended for treatment of ocular trachoma.
Systemic anti-infectives (e.g., oral azithromycin, doxycycline, or erythromycin) are necessary for treatment of chlamydial conjuncti...
