ERYTHROLAR (ERYTHROMYCIN) TABLETS 500 MG - summary of medicine characteristics

1 NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Erythrolar* (Erythromycin) Tablets 500mg

2 Qualitative and Quantitative composition

Each tablet contains erythromycin stearate equivalent to erythromycin BP 500mg.

Excipient with known effect:

Tartrazine (E102) 3.90mg

For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1

3 PHARMACEUTICAL FORM

Tablet

4 CLINICAL PARTICULARS

4.1 Therapeutic indications

For the prophylaxis and treatment of infections caused by erythromycin sensitive organisms.

Erythrolar* is effective in the treatment of a great variety a clinical infections.

1. Upper respiratory tract infection: Tonsillitis, peritonsillar abscess, pharyngitis, laryngitis, sinusitis, secondary infections in clods and influenza.

2. Lower respiratory tract infections: Tracheitis, acute and chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, bronchiectasis.

3. Oral infections: Gingivitis, Vincent’s angina.

4. Eye infections: Blepharitis.

5. Ear infections: otitis media and otitis externa, mastoiditis.

6. Skin and soft tissue infections: boils and carbuncles, paronychia, abscesses, acne, impetigo, cellulitis, erysipelas.

7. Prophylazis: pre- and post-operative, trauma, burns, rheumatic fever.

8. Genito-urinary infections: Urethritis, gonorrhoea, syphilis, lymphogranuloma verereum, prostatitis.

9. Other infections: Osteomyelitis, diphtheria, scarlet fever.

Microbiological indications:

Erythrolar* is active against a wide range of gram-positive staphylococci, pneumococci and streptococci, Meningococci, Mycoplasma, L-forms, Haemophilus influenzae, agents causing trachoma and lymphogranuloma vernereum, Chlamydia, clostridia, coryneacteria, Neisseria, Treponema pallidum and Bordetella.

4.2 Posology and method of administration

Adults:

1g to 2g/day erythromycin activity divided into 6, 8 or 12 hourly doses. May be increased to up to 4g daily in divided doses in severe infections. Tablets should be taken before and with meals.

Children:

Normally use Erythrolar* Suspension. If tablets are used calculate dose on basis of 30mg erythromycin activity/kg/day in divided doses. In severe infections this may be raised to 50mg/kg/day in divided doses.

4.3 Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.

Erythromycin is contraindicated in patients taking simvastatin, tolterodine, mizolastine, amisulpride, astemizole, terfenadine, domperidone, cisapride or pimozide. Erythromycin is contraindicated with ergotamine and dihydroergotamine.

4.4 Special Warning and Precautions for Use

Erythromycin is excreted principally by the liver, so caution should be exercised in administering the antibiotic to patients with impaired hepatic function or concomitantly receiving potentially hepatotoxic agents. Hepatic dysfunction including increased liver enzymes and/or cholestatic hepatitis, with or without jaundice, has been infrequently reported with erythromycin.

This product should not be used in patients with porphyria.

Pseudomembranous colitis has been reported with nearly all antibacterial agents, including macrolides, and may range in severity from mild to lifethreatening (see section 4.8). Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea (CDAD) has been reported with use of nearly all antibacterial agents including erythromycin, and may range in severity from mild diarrhoea to fatal colitis. Treatment with antibacterial agents alters the normal flora of the colon, which may lead to overgrowth of C. difficile. CDAD must be considered in all patients who present with diarrhoea following antibiotic use. Careful medical history is necessary since CDAD has been reported to occur

over two months after the administration of antibacterial agents.

Patients received erythromycin concurrently with drugs which can cause prolongation of the QT interval should be carefully monitored. The concomitant use of erythromycin with some of these drugs in contraindicated (see sections 4.3 and 4.5)

There have been reports suggesting erythromycin does not reach the foetus in adequate concentrations to prevent congenital syphilis. Infants born to women treated during pregnancy with oral erythromycin for early syphilis should be treated with an appropriate penicillin regimen.

There have been reports that erythromycin may aggravate the weakness of patients with myasthenia gravis.

Erythromycin interferes with the fluorometric determination of urinary catecholamines. Rhabdomyolysis with or without renal impairment has been reported in seriously ill patients receiving erythromycin concomitantly with statins.

There have been reports of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS) occurring in infants following erythromycin therapy. In one cohort of 157 newborns who were given erythromycin for pertussis prophylaxis, seven neonates (5%) developed symptoms of non- bilious vomiting or irritability with feeding and were subsequently diagnosed as having IHPS requiring surgical pyloromyotomy. Since erythromycin may be used in the treatment of conditions in infants which are associated with significant mortality or morbidity (such as pertussis or chlamydia), the benefit of erythromycin therapy needs to be weighed against the potential risk of developing IHPS. Parents should be informed to contact their physician if vomiting or irritability with feeding occurs.

As with other macrolides, rare serious allergic reactions, including acute generalised exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) have been reported. If an allergic reaction occurs, the drug should be discontinued and appropriate therapy should be instituted. Physicians should be aware that reappearance of the allergic symptoms may occur when symptomatic therapy is discontinued.

4.5 Interactions with other Medications and other forms of Interaction

Increases in serum concentrations of the following drugs metabolised by the cytochrome P450 system may occur when administered concurrently with erythromycin: acenocoumarol , alfentanil, astemizole, bromocriptine, carbamazepine, cilostazol, cyclosporin, digoxin, dihydroergotamine, disopyramide, ergotamine, hexobarbitone, methylprednisolone, midazolam, omeprazole, phenytoin, quinidine, rifabutin, sildenafil, tacrolimus, terfenadine, domperidone, theophylline, triazolam, valproate, vinblastine, antifungals e.g fluconazole, ketoconazole and itraconazole. Appropriate monitoring should be undertaken and dosage should be adjusted as necessary. Particular care should be taken with medications known to prolong the QTc interval of the electrocardiogram.

Drugs that induce CYP3A4 (such as rifampicin, phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, St John's Wort) may induce the metabolism of erythromycin. This may lead to sub-therapeutic levels of erythromycin and a decreased effect. The induction decreases gradually during two weeks after discontinued treatment with CYP3A4 inducers. Erythromycin should not be used during and two weeks after treatment with CYP3A4 inducers.

HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors: erythromycin has been reported to increase concentrations of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (e.g. lovastatin and simvastatin). Rare reports of rhabdomyolysis have been reported in patients taking these drugs concomitantly.

Concomitant use of erythromycin with simvastatin, tolterodine, mizolastine, amisulpride, terfenadine or astemizole is likely to result in an enhanced risk of cardio toxicity with these drugs. The concomitant use of erythromycin with either simvastatin, tolterodine, mizolastine, amisulpride, astemizole or terfenadine is therefore contra-indicated.

Contraceptives: some antibiotics may in rare cases decrease the effect of contraceptive pills by interfering with the bacterial hydrolysis of steroid conjugates in the intestine and thereby reabsorption of unconjugated steroid. As a result of this plasma levels of active steroid may decrease.

Antihistamine H1 antagonists: care should be taken in the coadministration of erythromycin with H1 antagonists such as terfenadine, astemizole and mizolastine due to the alteration of their metabolism by erythromycin.

Erythromycin significantly alters the metabolism of terfenadine, astemizole and pimozide when taken concomitantly. Rare cases of serious, potentially fatal, cardiovascular events including cardiac arrest, torsade de pointes and other ventricular arrhythmias have been observed (see sections 4.3 and 4.8).

Anti-bacterial agents: an in vitro antagonism exists between erythromycin and the

bactericidal beta-lactam antibiotics (e.g. penicillin, cephalosporin). Erythromycin antagonises the action of clindamycin, lincomycin and chloramphenicol. The same applies for streptomycin, tetracyclines and colistin.

Protease inhibitors: in concomitant administration of erythromycin and protease inhibitors, an inhibition of the decomposition of erythromycin has been observed.

Oral anticoagulants: there have been reports of increased anticoagulant effects when erythromycin and oral anticoagulants (e.g. warfarin) are used concomitantly.

Triazolobenzo­diazepines (such as triazolam and alprazolam) and related benzodiazepines: erythromycin has been reported to decrease the clearance of triazolam, midazolam, and related benzodiazepines, and thus may increase the pharmacological effect of these benzodiazepines.

Post-marketing reports indicate that co-administration of erythromycin with ergotamine or dihydroergotamine has been associated with acute ergot toxicity characterised by vasospasm and ischaemia of the central nervous system, extremities and other tissues (see section 4.3).

Elevated cisapride levels have been reported in patients receiving erythromycin and cisapride concomitantly. This may result in QTc prolongation and cardiac arrhythmias including ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation and torsades de pointes. Similar effects have been observed with concomitant administration of pimozide and clarithromycin, another macrolide antibiotic.

Erythromycin use in patients who are receiving high doses of theophylline may be associated with an increase in serum theophylline levels and potential theophylline toxicity. In case of theophylline toxicity and/or elevated serum theophylline levels, the dose of theophylline should be reduced while the patient is receiving concomitant erythromycin therapy. There have been published reports suggesting when oral erythromycin is given concurrently with theophylline there is a significant decrease in erythromycin serum concentrations. This decrease could result in sub-therapeutic concentrations of erythromycin.

There have been post-marketing reports of colchicine toxicity with concomitant use of erythromycin and colchicine.

Hypotension, bradyarrhythmias and lactic acidosis have been observed in patients receiving concurrent verapamil, a calcium channel blocker.

Cimetidine may inhibit the metabolism of erythromycin which may lead to an increased plasma concentration.

Erythromycin has been reported to decrease the clearance of zopiclone and thus may increase the pharmacodynamic effects of this drug.

4.6 Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.

However, observational studies in humans have reported cardiovascular

malformations after exposure to medicinal products containing erythromycin during early pregnancy.

Erythromycin has been reported to cross the placental barrier in humans, but foetal plasma levels are generally low.

There may have been reports that maternal macrolide antibiotics exposure within 7 weeks of delivery may be associated with a higher risk of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS).

Erythromycin is excreted in breast milk, therefore, caution should be exercised when administering erythromycin to lactating mothers due to reports of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis in breast-fed infants.

4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines None reported.

4.8 Undesirable Effects

Eosinophilia.

QTc interval prolongation, torsades de pointes, palpitations, and cardiac rhythm disorders including ventricular tachyarrhythmias.

Deafness, tinnitus.

There have been isolated reports of reversible hearing loss occurring chiefly in patients with renal insufficiency or high doses.

The most frequent side effects of oral erythromycin are gastrointestinal and are dose-related.

The following have been reported:

Upper abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, pancreatitis, anorexia, infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis.

Pseudomembranous colitis has been rarely reported in association with erythromycin therapy

(see section 4.4).

Chest pain, fever, malaise.

Cholestatic hepatitis, jaundice, hepatic dysfunction,he­patomegaly, hepatic failure, hepatocellular hepatitis, (see section 4.4).

Allergic reactions ranging from urticaria and mild skin eruptions to anaphylaxis have occurred.

Increased liver enzyme values.

There have been isolated reports of transient central nervous system side effects including confusion, seizures and vertigo; however, a cause and effect relationship has not been established.

Hallucinations

Mitochondrial Optic Neuropathy

Interstitial nephritis

Skin eruptions, pruritus, urticaria, exanthema, angioedema, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, erythema multiforme.

Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data): acute generalised exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP)

Hypotension.

The rare possibility of super infection caused by overgrowth of non-susceptible bacteria or fungi should be considered during prolonged or repeated therapy, especially when other antibacterial agents are simultaneously employed.

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

4.9 Overdose

Symptoms: hearing loss, severe nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.

Treatment: Gastric lavage, general supportive measures.

5 PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties

Pharmacotherapeutic Group: Macrolides

ATC Code: J01FA01

Erythromycin exerts its antimicrobial action by binding to the 50S ribosomal sub-unit of susceptible microorganisms and suppresses protein synthesis. Erythromycin is usually active against most strains of the following organisms both in vitro and in clinical infections:

Gram-positive bacteria – Listeria monocytogenes, Corynebacterium diphtheriae (as an adjunct to antitoxin), Staphylococci spp, Streptococci spp (including Enterococci).

Gram-negative bacteria – Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria meningitidis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Legionella pneumophila, Moraxella (Branhamella) catarrhalis, Bordetella pertussis, Campylobacter spp.

Mycoplasma – Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Ureaplasma urealyticum

Other organisms – Treponema pallidum, Chlamydia spp, Clostridia spp, L-forms, the agents causing trachoma and lymphogranuloma venereum

Note: The majority of strains of Haemophilus influenzae are susceptible to the concentrations reached after ordinary doses.

5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties

Absorption

Peak blood levels normally occur within one hour of dosing of erythromycin ethylsuccinate granules.

Erythromycin ethylsuccinate is less susceptible than erythromycin to the adverse effect of gastric acid. It is absorbed from the small intestine. For this reason erythromycin tablets are enteric coated.

Distribution

It is widely distributed throughout the body tissues.

Elimination

The elimination half-life is approximately two hours. Doses may be administered two, three or four times a day. Little metabolism occurs and only about 5% is excreted in the urine. It is excreted principally by the liver.

5.3 Preclinical safety data

There are no pre-clinical data of relevance to the prescriber which are additional to that already included in other sections of the SPC.

6 PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS

6.1 List of excipients

Povidone

Magnesium stearate

Maize starch

Sodium citrate

Amberlite

Microcrystalline cellulose

Cellulose acetate phthalate

Polyethylene glycol 6000

Castor oil

Triacetin

Talc

Tartrazine (E102)

Erythrosine (E127)

6.2 Incompatibilities

Not known.

6.3 Shelf life

36 months.

6.4 Special precautions for storage

Store in a cool dry place.

6.5 Nature and contents of container

Securitainers

Pack size: 100

6.6 Special precautions for disposal

Not applicable.

7 MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

Ennogen Pharma Limited

Unit G4,

Riverside Industrial Estate,

Riverside Way,

Dartford,

DA1 5BS,

United Kingdom

8 MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)

PL 40147/0035

9 DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE

30/03/1982 / 13/04/2005