ERYTHROMYCIN & SULFISOXAZOLE

Brand & Generic Names

Eryzole
Pediazole
Sulfimycin

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? Yes
• Drug class: Antibiotic (erythromycin), sulfa (sulfonamide)

Uses

Treatment of infections responsive to erythromycin and sulfa.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Suspension--Swallow with liquid. Instructions to take on empty stomach mean 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating. Shake carefully before measuring.

When to take:
At the same times each day, 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).

What drug does:
Prevents growth and reproduction of susceptible bacteria.

Time lapse before drug works:
2 to 5 days to affect infection.

Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Less urine, bloody urine, nausea, skin rash, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, coma.

WHAT TO DO:

• Dial 911 (emergency) or O (operator) for an ambulance or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
• See EMERGENCY Information.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

In case of overdose, see Overdose section.

Common:

• Headache, dizziness, itchy skin, rash, appetite loss, vomiting.
• Mild nausea.

Infrequent:

• Dryness, irritation, stinging with use of skin solution, mouth or tongue sore.
• Diarrhea, nausea, abdominal cramps, swallowing difficulty.

Rare:

• Jaundice, painful or difficult urination, muscle or joint pain, unusual tiredness, blood in urine, swelling of neck.
• Weakness.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:

• You are allergic to any sulfa drug or any erythromycin.
• You have had liver disease or impaired liver function.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you are allergic to carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, oral antidiabetics or thiazide diuretics.
• If you are allergic by nature.
• If you have liver or kidney disease, porphyria, developed anemia from use of any drug, taken erythromycin estolate in the past.

Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons, especially skin reactions around genitals and anus.

Pregnancy:
Risk to unborn child outweighs drug benefits. Don't use.

Breast-feeding:
Drug passes into milk. Avoid drug or discontinue nursing until you finish medicine. Consult doctor for advice on maintaining milk supply.

Infants & children:
Don't give to infants younger than 1 month.

Prolonged use:

• May enlarge thyroid gland.
• Request frequent blood counts, liver and kidney function studies.
• You may become more susceptible to infections caused by germs not responsive to erythromycin or sulfa.

Skin & sunlight:
May cause rash or intensify sunburn in areas exposed to sun or sunlamp.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Avoid if you feel dizzy. Otherwise, no problems expected.

Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without doctor's advice until you complete prescribed dose, even though symptoms diminish or disappear.

Others:

• Drink extra liquid each day to prevent adverse reactions, such as kidney damage.
• If you require surgery, tell anesthetist you take sulfa.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Aminobenzoate	Possible decreased
potassium	sulfisoxazole effect.
Aminophylline	Increased effect of aminophylline
	in blood.
Anticoagulants*,	Increased anti-
oral	coagulant effect.
Anticonvulsants,	Toxic effect on
hydantoin*	brain.
Aspirin	Increased sulfa effect.
Astemizole	Increased risk of heart toxicity.
Flecainide	Possible decreased blood-cell
	production in bone marrow.
Isoniazid	Possible anemia.
Lincomycins*	Decreased lincomycin effect.
Methenamine	Possible kidney blockage.
Methotrexate	Increased possibility of toxic side
	effects from methotrexate.
Oxtriphylline	Increased level of oxtriphylline in
	blood.
Oxyphenbutazone	Increased sulfa effect.
Para-aminosalicylic	Decreased sulfa effect.
Penicillins*	Decreased penicillin effect.
Phenylbutazone	Increased sulfa effect.
Probenecid	Increased sulfa effect.
Sulfinpyrazone	Increased sulfa effect.
Terfenadine	Increased risk of heart toxicity.
Theophylline	Increased level of theophylline in
	blood.
Tocainide	Possible decreased blood-cell
	production in bone marrow.
Trimethoprim	Increased sulfa effect.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	Increased alcohol effect. Possible
	liver damage.
Beverages:	None expected.
Cocaine:	None expected.
Wines, syrups, acidic	Decreased antibiotic effect.
Marijuana:	None expected.
Tobacco:	None expected.