- Erythromycin
- A common antibiotic for treating bacterial infection. Sold under many brand names, including
* * *A macrolide antibiotic agent obtained from cultures of a strain of Streptomyces erythraeus found in soil; it is active against Corynebacterium diphtheriae and several other species of Corynebacterium, Group A hemolytic streptococci, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Bordetella pertussis; Gram-positive bacteria are in general more susceptible to its action than are Gram-negative bacteria, although Neisseria and Brucella are susceptible to its action. Available as the estolate, ethylcarbonate, ethylsuccinate, gluceptate, lactobionate, stearate, and salts; active against Legionella and Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Often used as a substitute antibiotic in penicillin-allergic patients.
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eryth·ro·my·cin i-.rith-rə-'mīs-ən n a broad-spectrum antibiotic C37H67NO13 that is produced by a bacterium of the genus Streptomyces (S. erythreus), resembles penicillin in antibacterial activity, and is effective also against amebas, treponemata, and pinworms also a preparation of the salt (as the estolate or stearate) of erythromycin see ilosone, ilotycin* * *
n.an antibiotic used to treat infections caused by a wide range of bacteria and other microorganisms. It is administered by mouth or injection or topically. Side-effects are rare and mild, though nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea occur occasionally. Trade names: Erymax, Erythrocin.* * *
eryth·ro·my·cin (ə-rith″ro-miґsin) [USP] a broad-spectrum macrolide antibiotic, produced by Saccharopolyspora erythraea, effective against most gram-positive and certain gram-negative bacteria, such as Neisseria species and Haemophilus influenzae, and against spirochetes, some rickettsias, and Entamoeba; it is also highly effective against Mycoplasma pneumoniae. It is used especially in patients allergic to penicillin and in those with penicillin-resistant infections and legionnaires' disease, and is also used in the prophylaxis of neonatal conjunctivitis and ophthalmia neonatorum, and in the treatment of acne vulgaris; administered orally as well as topically to the skin or to the conjunctiva.
Medical dictionary. 2011.
