Erythromycin

In the E-Mycin consumer medicine information, erythromycin, a macrolide, appears with three uses. It treats bacterial infections, helps to control acne alongside other acne medicines, and prevents infection in penicillin-allergic people who have rheumatic disease, congenital heart disease or another acquired valvular heart disease. Viral infections such as colds and flu are not helped by it.

This listing shows erythromycin 250 mg and 500 mg. It does not name the manufacturer of the tablets supplied, so check the label on the pack you receive and confirm with your prescriber or pharmacist that it matches your prescription.

Compare packs of the same strength. These examples are for 250 mg and are calculated from the listed prices at the shop’s Australian-dollar rate on 8 October 2026, before delivery or other checkout charges.

Each 250 mg unit costs approximately 18.9% less in the 120 pack and 25.1% less in the 180 pack than in the 60 pack.

A lower price per tablet means a larger upfront payment. Choose only the quantity and strength appropriate to your prescription, and check the expiry date. Prices can change, so confirm the current pack price before ordering.

The medical information summarised here comes from the consumer leaflet for E-Mycin, an erythromycin brand.

Zithromax is not erythromycin: it contains azithromycin, which belongs to the azalides, a sub-class of the macrolides. According to the Zithromax leaflet, people allergic to erythromycin should not take it.

Allergy to erythromycin or another macrolide, severe liver disease and heart rhythm disorders rule it out. Certain medicines with dangerous interactions, such as terfenadine, cisapride and simvastatin, must not be combined with it. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, the leaflet recommends going over the pros and cons with a doctor.

The E-Mycin leaflet links the dose to the type and severity of the infection and asks for the full course to be finished even once symptoms ease.

The leaflet groups them by seriousness. Listed as less serious: headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps and oral or vaginal thrush. Serious: drowsiness, dizziness, hallucinations, muscle pain, an irregular heartbeat, hearing or vision problems, and jaundice. Very serious: allergic signs (rash, itch, hives, facial, lip or tongue swelling, wheeze or breathlessness) and diarrhoea that is severe, watery or bloody.

E-Mycin tablets are stored at a temperature below 30 °C. Follow the storage directions on the pack you receive.

No. It is not effective against viral infections such as flu.

The Zithromax leaflet says it should not be taken by people allergic to erythromycin.

Standard delivery: 14–22 days. Express tracked delivery: 7–14 days, with the tracking number sent by email. These are estimated delivery times, not guaranteed arrival dates.

The Australian delivery options above apply to the destinations below. A city listing does not indicate a physical pharmacy branch or local stock.