Erythromycin And Sulfisoxazole: 

What is erythromycin and sulfisoxazole (Eryzole, Pediazole, Sulfimycin)? 

• Erythromycin and sulfisoxazole are antibiotics. They fight bacteria in your body. 
• Erythromycin  and sulfisoxazole is used to treat many different types of bacterial infections. 
• Erythromycin and sulfisoxazole may also be  used for purposes other than those listed  in this medication guide. 

• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking erythromycin and sulfisoxazole and seek emergency medical attention or call  your doctor immediately: 
• an allergic reaction (shortness of breath; closing of your throat; hives; swelling of your lips, face,  or tongue; rash; or fainting);
• blood in your urine; 
• liver damage (yellowing of the skin or eyes, nausea, abdominal pain or discomfort, unusual bleeding or bruising, severe fatigue). 
• ringing in your ears; 
• difficulty breathing, sore throat, or chills; 
• a rash; 
• severe watery diarrhea and abdominal cramps; or 
• unusual bleeding or bruising. 
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely  to occur. Continue to  take the erythromycin  and sulfisoxazole and talk to  your doctor if you experience 
• headache, fatigue,  or dizziness; 
• nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, or diarrhea; 
• vaginal yeast infection; 
• increased sensitivity  to sunlight; 
• weakness; or 
• increased sensitivity to the sun. 

• Take all of the  erythromycin and sulfisoxazole that has been prescribed for you even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may start to improve before the infection is completely treated. 
• Do not take erythromycin and sulfisoxazole if you are taking terfenadine (Seldane, Seldane-D), astemizole (Hismanal), cisapride (Propulsid),  or pimozide (Orap). Erythromycin and sulfisoxazole may interact with these medicines resulting in dangerous  or life-threatening irregular heartbeats. 

• Do not  take erythromycin and sulfisoxazole without first talking to  your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a diuretic (water pill), a sunscreen containing PABA, or a sulfonamide. 

• kidney disease, 
• liver disease, 
• a glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD deficiency), or
• blood problems. 
• You may not be able to take erythromycin and sulfisoxazole, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above. 
• If you are over the age of 65 years, you may be more likely  to experience side effects from erythromycin and sulfisoxazole. A dosage adjustment or special monitoring may be necessary. 
• Erythromycin and sulfisoxazole is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether erythromycin and sulfisoxazole will harm an unborn baby. Do not  take erythromycin and sulfisoxazole without first talking to your doctor  if you are pregnant. 
• Many sulfonamides (including sulfisoxazole) are known to pass into breast milk. Rarely, a sulfonamide may cause a yeast infection, diarrhea, or allergic reaction in a nursing infant, although no serious harm is expected.  Do not take  erythromycin and sulfisoxazole without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. 

• Take erythromycin and sulfisoxazole exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your nurse, doctor, or pharmacist to explain them to you. 
• Take each dose with a full glass of water. Also, drink plenty of fluid--8 to 12 full glasses (8 ounces) every day--unless your doctor directs otherwise. 
• Erythromycin and sulfisoxazole should be taken at evenly spaced intervals throughout the day and night to keep the amount of  medication in your blood high enough to treat  the infection. 
• Shake the liquid forms of erythromycin  and sulfisoxazole well before measuring a dose. To ensure that you get a correct dose, measure the suspension with a dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular tablespoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you can get one. 
• Take all  of the erythromycin and sulfisoxazole that has been prescribed for you even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may start to improve before the infection is completely treated. 
• Store erythromycin and sulfisoxazole suspension  in the refrigerator. Erythromycin  and sulfisoxazole suspension should be used within 14 days and the  unused portion should be thrown away  after 14 days.

• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take only your next regularly scheduled dose.  Do not take a double dose of this medication unless otherwise directed by  your doctor. 
• If you have only missed one dose, you can take  the rest  of your scheduled doses for the day at evenly spaced intervals. 

• Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected. 
• Symptoms  of a erythromycin and sulfisoxazole overdose include decreased appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, headache, abdominal discomfort, drowsiness, fever, and unconsciousness. 

• Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Erythromycin and sulfisoxazole may increase  the sensitivity of  your skin to sunlight. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when exposure to the sun is unavoidable. 

• Do not take erythromycin and sulfisoxazole if  you are taking any of the following medicines: 
• terfenadine (Seldane, Seldane-D); 
• astemizole (Hismanal); 
• cisapride (Propulsid); or 
• pimozide (Orap). 
• Erythromycin may interact with these medicines resulting in dangerous or life-threatening irregular heartbeats. 

• an oral anticoagulant (blood thinner) such as warfarin (Coumadin); 
• digoxin (Lanoxin); 
• theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theobid, and others); 
• midazolam (Versed) or triazolam (Halcion); 
• ergotamine (Ercaf, Cafergot, Ergostat, Ergomar) or dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal); 
• carbamazepine (Tegretol); 
• valproic acid (Depakote, Depakene); 
• tacrolimus (Prograf); 
• cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral); 
• lovastatin (Mevacor) or simvastatin (Zocor); 
• bromocriptine (Parlodel); 
• disopyramide (Norpace); 
• cisapride (Propulsid); 
• other antibiotics; 
• pimozide (Orap); 
• an oral diabetes medicine such as glipizide (Glucotrol), glyburide (Glynase, Micronase, Diabeta), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), tolbutamide (Orinase), or tolazamide (Tolinase); or 
• phenytoin (Dilantin).