Most likely, every woman who learns that she will become a mother, realizes that now she is responsible both for her own health and for the health of her unborn child. Now she needs to give up all bad habits and follow a healthy lifestyle.
In addition, protecting yourself from various diseases is of no small importance. You must also remember about proper nutrition. But sometimes it happens that even if you follow all the recommendations listed above, the expectant mother is not able to avoid the negative effects of various infections and viruses on the body. As a result, numerous diseases make themselves felt, the treatment of which makes them resort to antibiotic medications. We will find out in the article whether Erythromycin can be taken during pregnancy. It’s not news to anyone that the use of antibiotics during pregnancy is not recommended. Some of them are very dangerous for the fetus developing in the womb.
Erythromycin is a drug that is also among the antibiotics. Its main action is aimed at eliminating bacterial infections of various types. Due to the different forms of release, you can achieve the maximum effect from use in the shortest possible time.
Is erythromycin dangerous during pregnancy? Can this drug be used during this period? We will consider these issues in detail in the article.
Indications for use
This medication is used in the presence of such abnormalities and diseases:
- Listeriosis.
- Skin infections and soft tissue infections, which include trophic ulcers, pressure sores, etc. - This group of diseases involves the use of the drug in the form of an ointment.
- Gonorrhea and primary syphilis.
- Bacterial infections by origin, the occurrence of which is caused by bacteria that are sensitive to the drug. Often there are diseases of ENT organs, for example, sinusitis, pharyngitis and others.
- Scarlet fever.
- Trachoma.
- Infectious pathologies of the biliary tract.
- Infectious diseases of the lower respiratory tract.
- Infectious diseases of the urinary tract.
- Chlamydia during pregnancy. Erythromycin helps with this infection very well.
- Often used as a prophylactic to protect against infectious endocarditis and streptococcal infections.
In addition, if a person has an allergic reaction to Penicillin and other penicillin antibiotics, Erythromycin is prescribed as a reserve antibiotic.
Release Forms
The drug is available in tablets, which is the most affordable and popular form for use. You can find in pharmacies a drug in a dosage of 500, 250 and 100 milligrams of the active substance. Is it possible to drink "Erythromycin" in tablets during pregnancy, many are interested.
Ointment. Usually this form is made in small tubes from 10 to 20 grams. According to the concentration of the active component, the drugs have no differences, but in pharmacies you can see drugs from various manufacturers. Can erythromycin ointment be used during pregnancy? This is a common question. About it below.
Lyophilisate. Most often available in small disposable bottles. Cardboard packages contain one, five or ten bottles. In addition, you can find "Erythromycin" in diluted form for use in droppers.
Application features
Any recommendations regarding the drug should be made by the attending physician on the basis of a specific diagnosis and characteristic symptoms of the disease. It should be understood that the rules of application for different forms of drug release and dosage will have differences. In some situations, you can use a standard dose, but first it is advisable to consult a doctor.
Erythromycin tablets. They are prescribed for mild diseases of 0.25 grams, and for severe pathologies of 0.5 grams for adults, one and a half to two hours before a meal or after it after two to three hours. It is recommended to drink every 4-6 hours. At a time, you can drink a maximum of 0.5 grams, and per day - four grams. Separately, there is a method of dosage for children. "Erythromycin" is allowed to be treated from a very early age. Children up to three months are allowed a maximum of 20-40 milligrams per kilogram of body weight at a time. Children from four months and older are prescribed a dosage of 30-50 milligrams per kilogram of weight.
Take four tablets a day. For infections of the genitourinary system during pregnancy, four milligrams are prescribed four times a day for a week, or (if such a dose is poorly tolerated) four times a day for 250 milligrams for two weeks.
The duration of therapy is determined by the diagnosis. It can range from five days to two weeks. Additionally, you need to take two days after the symptoms are eliminated.
Ointment "Erythromycin". Apply a thin layer to the affected area two to three times a day. Ointment for burns is advisable to apply a maximum of two to three times a week. The treatment lasts several days, but can last even two or three weeks, depending on the symptoms.
Intravenous use of erythromycin. Administration through a syringe or dropper is allowed, depending on the doctor's recommendations. The maximum dose of one administration for an adult patient is 200 milliliters, during the day - 600 milliliters. For children, the dosage is calculated at the rate of 20-50 milligrams per kilogram of body weight per day. Only a doctor can choose the final dosage. The use of the drug in accordance with its instructions makes it possible to achieve maximum results during treatment, and also helps prevent side effects and allergies.
Side effects
Side effects of an antibiotic are directly determined using a specific release form. It is necessary to familiarize yourself with this item in its instructions before using the drug.
Erythromycin tablets. In some cases, it can cause stomach pains, nausea, vomiting, urticaria, various defects in the liver, a rash on the skin, vaginal candidiasis or in the oral cavity, tachycardia, reversible hearing loss, atrial flutter.
Ointment "Erythromycin". When using, allergic reactions may appear: rash, itching, redness. Also, in a damaged place, a secondary infection can sometimes occur in the presence of microorganisms in the wound that are resistant to the active component.
Lyophilisate "Erythromycin". In individual cases, the appearance of abdominal pain, gastralgia, nausea, cholestatic jaundice, diarrhea, pancreatitis, dysbiosis, anaphylactic shock, urticaria. Often, similar undesirable effects are noted with an overdose, in connection with this it is very important to correctly measure the dose and be attentive to medical recommendations. In addition, side effects may occur when using an expired drug, so using the drug with an expired shelf life is strictly prohibited. This is confirmed by the instructions for "Erythromycin."
Is pregnancy safe or not during pregnancy? It is better to find out in advance.
Drug interaction
Means that block the secretion of tubules extend the erythromycin elimination half-life.
Incompatible with "Chloramphenicol", "Clindamycin", "Linkomycin."
Reduces the bactericidal effect of beta-lactam preparations (cephalosporins carbapenems, penicillins).
When used concomitantly with drugs whose metabolism is made in the liver (Bromocriptine, Theophylline, Lovastatin, Carbamazepine, Disopyramide, valproic acid, Alfentanil, Phenytoin, Hexobarbital) may increase the content of these agents in plasma (is an inhibitor of hepatic microsomal enzymes).
Increases cyclosporin nephrotoxicity (especially in patients with concomitant renal failure). Reduces clearance of midazolam and triazolam, and therefore is able to enhance the pharmacological properties of benzodiazepines.
If taken simultaneously with Astemizole or Terfenadine, then arrhythmia may develop, with non-hydrogenated ergot alkaloids or Dihydroergotamine - dysesthesia, vascular constriction to spasm.
Slowing down the elimination of anticoagulants from a number of coumarins, Felodipine and Methylprednisolone.
With simultaneous use with Lovastatin, rhabdomyolysis intensifies.
The bioavailability of digoxin is increased.
The effect of hormonal protection is reduced.
special instructions
If the treatment is long, you need to monitor laboratory indicators of liver activity.
Signs of cholestatic jaundice may appear a few days after the start of treatment, but the possibility of development increases after one to two weeks of continuous therapy.
The likelihood of an ototoxic effect increases in patients with kidney and liver failure, in the elderly.
A number of resistant strains of the Haemophilus influenzae type are sensitive to the simultaneous use of erythromycin with sulfonamides.
It can interfere with the detection in the urine of catecholamines and the activity of liver transaminases in the blood (colorimetric diagnosis by means of definyl hydrazine).
Overdose Actions
Signs: impaired liver activity, reaching acute organ failure, hearing loss.
Therapy: activated carbon, careful monitoring of the state of the respiratory system. Gastric lavage is effective if a dosage is taken that is five times the average therapeutic dose. Forced diuresis, peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis are not effective.
So, is it possible to take "Erythromycin" during pregnancy?
Pregnancy Use
Now we need to move on to the most important issue. Is Erythromycin Safe During Pregnancy?
The drug is actually, like any other antibiotics, it is undesirable to use during the bearing of a child. However, you can use it in case of emergency.
Extreme necessity refers to situations where the expected benefit for a woman is much higher than the expected danger to the fetus. Such cases are quite common. For example, if a woman was diagnosed with a urogenital infection, such as chlamydia, then she will undoubtedly be prescribed “Erythromycin” during pregnancy.
How to take it in the treatment of chlamydia? It is prescribed 500 mg 4 times a day. The course is 7 days.
Do not do without the help of this antibiotic and with cystitis during the bearing of the baby. "Erythromycin" in tablets during pregnancy is often prescribed to women if there is a high sensitivity to drugs from a number of penicillins.
But it is important to understand that there should not be any self-medication. This is fraught with serious complications. Can "Erythromycin" in pregnancy in the form of an ointment?
Using it during this period can be dangerous. Even those small concentrations of the drug that enter the bloodstream during local rubbing are able to penetrate the placental barrier.
Consequences for the child from "Erythromycin" during pregnancy
Despite the possibility of using the drug in an interesting position, every expectant mother should not forget that the use of such an antibiotic during any period of pregnancy can adversely affect the development and growth of the baby. Clinical studies have shown that those women who took the medication while carrying a baby gave birth to children with malformations of the heart and blood vessels. It is quite possible the appearance of other pathologies, which include stenosis.
According to reviews, the side effects of Erythromycin tablets during pregnancy are amplified.
Breast-feeding
It must be said right away that it is advisable to refuse the use of the drug both during pregnancy and during the lactation period. The fact is that this antibiotic can pass into breast milk, that is, it will penetrate the baby’s body. If during breastfeeding there is an urgent need to undergo a therapeutic course using Erythromycin, it is advisable to transfer the baby to artificial feeding. When replacing breast milk with milk mixtures, in addition to them, you need to give the baby special dietary supplements that will saturate the fragile baby's body with all the nutrients and vitamins he needs. Before using supplements, you should consult your doctor.
Reviews about "Erythromycin" during pregnancy
Opinions about this antibacterial drug were divided.
Some women say that this is a very old drug with significant side effects, so it is rarely used during the period of gestation.
Others argue that this is an excellent remedy for many infections, including those that are sexually transmitted. If they arise, it is better to be treated. Also, "Erythromycin" during pregnancy helps women with a strong cough and normalizes their condition.
In any case, you need to take care of your health and safety of the baby, so do not use the drug yourself.