Instructions for use of erythromycin ointment

Erythromycin Acne Ointment

Acne erythromycin ointment is an external antibiotic that contains an antibiotic from the macrolide group as a therapeutic substance, which is highly active in the treatment of skin and tissue infections.

Unlike penicillin, erythromycin is better tolerated by patients and less likely to provoke allergic and other undesirable side reactions.

The medication contains 10,000 units of active substance in 1 gram and gives a high therapeutic result in getting rid of acne and acne. Erythromycin destroys the main pyogenic bacteria that cause inflammation and suppuration in the area of ​​hair follicles.

The main therapeutic ingredient blocks the production of protein compounds of propionibacteria acne and epidermal staphylococcus. These pathogenic microorganisms are able to multiply on the skin and with weakened local immunity and an abnormally high production of sebum (sebum), lead to the appearance of all kinds of acne and pustules.

For the treatment of acne, the ointment is applied pointwise to the site of inflammation and suppuration three times a day, after treating the affected areas with hydrogen peroxide and drying it. The duration of the application varies depending on the severity of the process and the patient's sensitivity to Propionibacterium acnes and S. epidermidis.

It should be remembered that the resistance of the microbial flora to erythromycin develops quite quickly, so the use of the drug for longer than 1 to 2 months is not recommended.

In the case of boils, Erythromycin ointment is used after maturation and opening of the abscess to destroy the pathogenic flora in the area of ​​purulent masses and prevent repeated suppuration.

Features of the application.

  1. With the simultaneous use of ointment with another anti-acne agent, the interval between application of drugs should be at least 1 - 2 hours.
  2. If during treatment for 3-4 weeks there are no positive changes in the skin condition with acne and acne, you should consult a dermatologist.
  3. To obtain a noticeable therapeutic result, if there is no addiction to the product, it may take 2 to 3 months.
  4. Erythromycin ointment enhances the action of hormonal external agents.
  5. During the treatment of acne and pustular rashes, it is not allowed to use the drug on the background of skin cleansing with abrasive or highly active chemicals (scrubs, peels). This leads to excessive irritation and inflammation of the epidermis.
  6. With the simultaneous use of ointments and external pharmaceutical products that cause peeling, the development of excessive dry skin and irritation is likely.
  7. Erythromycin ointment is incompatible with external preparations containing aminoglycosides (Baneocin, Gentamicin ointment), Linkomycin, Clindamycin, Chloramphenicol (Syntomycin emulsion). The tool reduces the bactericidal effect of external ointments with penicillin, cephalosporins, carbapenems.

Eye ointment

Erythromycin-based ointment is actively used in ophthalmology for the treatment of infectious pathologies of the eyes of bacterial origin - more often with streptococcus, chlamydia, and staphylococcus. It is the ocular erythromycin ointment in tubes of 3, 7 and 10 grams that is used, and not a means for external use.

Eye ointment is prescribed as a single drug (an independent drug) in the treatment of the following diseases of the organs of vision:

  • bacterial blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelids);
  • purulent conjunctivitis and blepharoconjunctivitis;
  • ophthalmia of newborns, including gonoblenorrhea (occurs in infants when passing through the birth canal infected with gonococci, hemophilic bacillus, trichomonas, chlamydia);
  • halazion (a painless dense tumor in the area of ​​the sebaceous gland in the eyelid);
  • barley (meibomite) - purulent inflammation of the sebaceous gland;
  • endophthalmitis (purulent-inflammatory process of the inner membranes of the eyeball);
  • ophthalmic chlamydia and trachoma;
  • keratitis (inflammation of the cornea).
  • secondary infection after ophthalmic surgery.

Fungi, viruses show resistance to erythromycin, therefore, for example, if conjunctivitis of a viral nature has developed, the ointment will not have any effect on the pathology. For this reason, the treatment composition can be applied only after consultation with an ophthalmologist and an accurate diagnosis of a bacterial rather than a viral or fungal infection.

Features of the application.

  1. In the treatment of blepharoconjunctivitis, ophthalmia of newborns, keratitis, meibomite, halazion, eye ointment is applied to the conjunctiva of the eye in the form of a strip, slightly pulling the lower eyelid, at a dose of 200 - 300 mg 3 times a day.
  2. To prevent the development of ophthalmia in children after birth, the ointment is used once, laying a strip of funds with a length of not more than 5 - 10 mm for the lower eyelid of the baby. When the toilet of the newborn should not be washed out of the remedy from the eyes.
  3. The duration of the use of eye ointment for major infectious lesions of the organs of vision, including keratitis, is determined by the attending physician taking into account the form and severity of the pathology, age and associated diseases of the patient. The maximum duration of treatment is limited to 2 weeks.
  4. In the treatment of chlamydial conjunctivitis and trachoma, the drug is laid for an eyelid at least 4-5 times a day. The ophthalmologist at the same time conducts the mandatory opening of the follicles.With a decrease in the severity of inflammatory phenomena, the number of ointment applications is reduced to 2-3 times a day. The duration of treatment for these eye infections increases to 3 to 4 months.
  5. With blepharoconjunctivitis, trachoma, ophthalmochlamidiosis, ophthalmia of newborns, the conjunctiva of both eyes is treated with ointment, since the infection is quickly transferred to a healthy organ of vision.

Skin ointment

Erythromycin ointment for external use shows a high therapeutic result in infectious lesions of the skin and soft tissues caused by bacterial organisms resistant to penicillin, tetracycline, streptomycin and chloramphenicol.

The ointment suppresses the vital activity of gram-positive bacteria: staphylococcus, streptococcus, anthrax bacillus - the causative agent of anthrax, which causes cutaneous necrotic ulcers, gonococcus, clostridia (gas gangrene), corynebacteria - causative agents of diphtheria and ulcerative skin lesions.

The tool has a bactericidal and antimicrobial effect in the following pathologies:

  • purulent infected wounds;
  • pustular lesions, including furunculosis, secondary infection with eczema, streptococcal and staphylococcal impetigo;
  • trophic ulcers;
  • pressure sores;
  • damage to the epidermis with the addition of a bacterial infection.

The therapeutic product is applied to the lesion sites with a thin layer, without rubbing, 2-3 times a day after removal of purulent masses and treatment with hydrogen peroxide.

In case of burns, the use is reduced to 2 to 3 applications per week.

The duration of treatment for the patient is determined by the attending physician, taking into account the type of pathogen, the form and specificity of the disease, the severity of the process. The average duration is from 7 days to 2 to 3 weeks. In rare cases, therapy is extended to 6 to 8 weeks.

Features of therapy.

  1. The medication is not prescribed if there is no suppuration process, as well as if the skin is affected by mycobacterial and fungal infections. It will not give a healing effect. Therefore, before using the tool, it is recommended to clarify the diagnosis and check the sensitivity of microorganisms to erythromycin.
  2. With prolonged use of erythromycin ointment, the degree of its therapeutic effect may decrease due to the development of resistance to erythromycin in pathogenic bacteria.

Erythromycin ointment in gynecology

In the field of gynecology, the drug under discussion is used as an external agent in complex therapy:

  • chlamydia, including pregnant chlamydia;
  • inflammation of the mucous membrane of the external genitalia, including colpitis, vulvitis;
  • gonorrhea and syphilis at an early stage.

Also read: colpitis: symptoms and treatment in women

When treating, the ointment is applied to the skin and mucous membrane of the vulva up to 3 times a day after a thorough hygienic toilet using Chlorhexidine, Miramistin, furatsilina solution. Inside, gauze swabs are introduced, densely soaked with ointment, changing them after 6 hours. The duration of therapy is determined by the gynecologist.

Features of the application.

  1. Before starting treatment, smear tests are recommended to identify the causative agent.
  2. It is allowed to start therapy without waiting for the results of studies and antibioticograms, and to adjust the treatment after receiving them, continuing to use the ointment or replacing it with another medication.
  3. Given the identified pathogenic organisms, determine the need for the use of erythromycin ointment. The tool will help with the following pathogens: gonococcus, chlamydia, staphylococcus, streptococcus, spirochete.

Erythromycin ointment during pregnancy

Unlike Erythromycin, used internally, the properties of the ointment allow it to be used as an external remedy for women awaiting replenishment.

An ophthalmologist prescribes this product for pregnant women with chlamydia of the eyes and other pathologies, a dermatologist for skin problems or a gynecologist for the treatment of urogenital diseases that worsen during this important period of their life.

Although antibiotics are extremely undesirable during the period of gestation, the erythromycin ointment during pregnancy does not have a general effect on the mother's body or on the course of gestation and development of the embryo.

This pharmaceutical product does not systemically affect the body, however, in order to avoid unpredictable consequences, you should obtain the permission of the gynecologist.

Erythromycin ointment for children

The advantages of erythromycin ointment include extremely low absorption in the blood and local effects on the affected areas.

Therefore, a medication in the form of an ointment is used even for the treatment of infants, but only after examination by a specialized specialist and pediatrician. When appointing, the age of the baby, the form and severity of the pathology, as well as the allergic status of the child, are necessarily taken into account.

In pediatrics, this remedy is one of the few external antibiotic drugs approved for treatment:

  • chlamydia of newborn girls;
  • skin diseases with purulent-inflammatory elements;
  • eye diseases, including purulent conjunctivitis, ophthalmochlamidiosis, blepharitis.

Terms and conditions of storage

The temperature range at which the erythromycin ointment retains its healing properties is from 1 to 20 ° C. Shelf life - no more than 2 years from the date indicated on the manufacturer’s packaging. Freezing should not be allowed. Keep out of reach of children.

How much is erythromycin ointment

In the Russian pharmacy network, Erythromycin ointment can be purchased in the price range from 75 to 85 rubles, depending on the volume of the tube.

Side effects

With local use, the absorption of erythromycin into the blood is very low, so the ointment does not cause general side effects. The minimum amount that enters the bloodstream is processed by liver enzymes and excreted in urine and feces.

Of the rare adverse reactions during treatment with erythromycin ointment in people allergic to erythromycin, slight reddening in the area of ​​application, burning, itching, dryness are noted. If these phenomena do not disappear within 2 days, but become more pronounced, the use of ointment should be discontinued.

When using an eye ointment, undesirable side effects in the form of local reactions are possible:

  • redness of the sclera, burning, conjunctival irritation;
  • blurred visual perception;
  • increased lacrimation.

Such reactions usually subside within half an hour after applying the ointment. If allergic phenomena last longer than 1 - 2 days, the treatment is stopped and consult an ophthalmologist.

With prolonged and uncontrolled treatment of gynecological diseases, the development of candidiasis (thrush) is possible.

With prolonged treatment of skin pathologies, secondary superinfection can develop - a severe, rapid form of infection with microorganisms resistant to erythromycin, which do not manifest themselves before, against the background of a weakening of local defenses.

Analogs

The following preparations have a similar composition and similar therapeutic effect: Lincomycin ointment, Dalacin, Bactroban, Tetracycline ointment, Clindacin, Zenerit.

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