Table of Contents
What is a common side effect of the macrolides?
Like any other antibiotic, macrolides carry a significant risk of typical adverse effects like nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Abdominal symptoms are largely the result of macrolides being motilin agonists causing an increased risk of gastrointestinal upset and side effects.
Are macrolides hepatotoxic?
Abstract. Macrolide antibiotics (macrolides) are among the most commonly prescribed antibiotics worldwide and are used for a wide range of infections, but macrolides also expose people to the risk of adverse events include hepatotoxicity.

Do macrolides cause ototoxicity?
Macrolide ototoxicity has been observed in children (57, 71) and published case reports suggest that the elderly and patients with HIV disease may be at higher risk of ototoxic reactions to all the commonly prescribed macrolide antibiotics, including azithromycin, clarithromycin, and erythromycin (44).
What are contraindications to macrolides?
Concomitant administration of macrolides with astemizole, cisapride, pimozide, or terfenadine is contraindicated because potentially fatal cardiac arrhythmias (eg, QT prolongation, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, torsades de pointes) may occur when clarithromycin or erythromycin is given with these …
What is a common concern when taking erythromycin?

pain in the upper right part of the stomach. seizures. fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat. severe diarrhea (watery or bloody stools) that may occur with or without fever and stomach cramps (may occur up to 2 months or more after your treatment)
Why does erythromycin cause hepatotoxicity?
Hepatotoxicity. Erythromycin therapy is associated with a low rate (1% to 2%) of serum enzyme elevations during therapy. The enzyme elevations are typically asymptomatic and transient, and may occur no more frequently than with placebo or other comparator anitbiotic treatments.
Can macrolides cause hearing loss?
Several previous studies have investigated the association between macrolide use and ototoxicity. Ototoxicity comprises both sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and tinnitus. A Cochrane review based on four randomized controlled trials found that hearing loss is more often reported in participants using macrolides.
Do macrolides cause tinnitus?
Macrolide use was associated with a 25% increased risk for tinnitus (P=0.006). Risk was more pronounced in those receiving >14 DDD, those receiving intermediate- and long-acting macrolides, and those with daily as opposed to intermittent tinnitus.
What is the precaution of macrolides?
Inform your healthcare professional if: You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication. You have myasthenia gravis (a disease that causes muscle weakness) You ever had heart issues e.g. abnormal heartbeats or prolonged QT on ECG.
What drugs interact with macrolides?
Drug interactions with carbamazepine, cyclosporin, terfenadine, astemizole and theophylline represent the most frequently encountered interactions with macrolide antibiotics.
What are side effects of erythromycin?
Side effects of erythromycin
- Feeling sick (nausea) Stick to simple meals and do not eat rich or spicy food while you’re taking this medicine.
- Being sick (vomiting) Take small, frequent sips of fluids, such as water or squash to avoid dehydration.
- Diarrhoea.
- Stomach cramps.
- Loss of appetite.
- Bloating and indigestion.
Does erythromycin affect the kidneys?
Macrolides do not cause direct nephrotoxicity in general [40], but erythromycin and clarithromycin can influence kidney function secondary to interactions with other drugs.
Can macrolides cause abortion?
Macrolides are widely used to treat infections in pregnant women with suspected penicillin allergies, but research has shown associations between macrolides and increased risk of heart arrhythmia and cardiovascular mortality, as well as miscarriage in pregnant women.
What diseases macrolides treat?
Macrolides are the first choice of antibiotics to treat pneumonia, chlamydia, and urethritis. These antimicrobials are also known to have immunomodulatory benefits and anti-inflammatory properties, so they can treat other conditions rather than just bacteria infections.
Is azithromycin safe for liver patients?
Azithromycin is primarily excreted by the hepatobiliary system. Although the drug is generally well-tolerated and associated with few adverse effects, therapy with azithromycin should be administered cautiously in patients with liver and/or biliary disease.
Is erythromycin safe for liver?
Introduction. Erythromycin is an oral macrolide antibiotic that has been in common use since the 1950s. Erythromycin has been linked to rare instances of acute liver injury that are usually self-limited, but can result in severe injury and death.
What drugs are hepatotoxic?
Table 1
Drug | Drug Class/Indication |
---|---|
1. Allopurinol | Gout prophylaxis |
2. Amiodarone | Arrhythmia |
3. Amoxicillin-clavulanate | Antibiotic |
4. Anabolic steroids | Body building |