ANTIBACTERIALS FOR ACNE (Topical)

Brand & Generic Names

Achromycin	Erygel
Akne-mycin	Erymax
A/T/S	Ery-Sol
Aureomycin	ERYTHROMYCIN (topical)
CHLORTETRACYCLINE	ETS
(topical)	Meclan
CLINDAMYCIN (topical)	MECLOCYCLINE (topical)
Cleocin T	Staticin
Dalacin T	T-Stat
EryDerm	TETRACYCLINE (topical)
Erycette	Topicycline

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? No
• Drug class: Antibacterial (topical)

Uses

Treats acne by killing skin bacteria that may be part of the cause of acne.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to use:
Pledgets and solutions are flammable. Use away from flame or heat.
Apply medication to entire area, not just to pimples.
If you use other acne medicines on skin, wait an hour after using erythromycin before applying other medicine.
Cream, lotion, ointment--Bathe and dry area before use. Apply small amount and rub gently.

When to use:
2 times a day, morning and evening, or as directed by your doctor.

If you forget a dose:
Use as soon as you remember.

What drug does:
Kills bacteria on skin, skin glands or in hair follicles.

Time lapse before drug works:
3 to 4 weeks to begin improvement.

Don't use with:
Other skin medicine without telling your doctor.
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
None expected.

WHAT TO DO:

Not for internal use. If child accidentally swallows, call poison-control center.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

None expected.

Common:

Stinging or burning of skin for a few minutes after application.

Infrequent:

Red, peeling, itching, irritated skin.

Rare (extremely):

Symptoms of excess medicine absorbed by body--Abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, nausea, vomiting, thirst, weakness, weight loss.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't use if:
You are allergic to erythromycin.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you are allergic to any substance that touches your skin.
• If you use benzoyl peroxide, resorcinol, salicylic acid, sulfur or tretinoin (vitamin A acid).

Over age 60:
No problems expected.

Pregnancy:
No problems expected, but check with doctor.

Breast-feeding:
No problems expected, but check with doctor.

Infants & children:
No problems expected, but check with doctor.

Prolonged use:
Excess irritation to skin.

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected, but check with doctor.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
No problems expected, but check with doctor.

Discontinuing:
No problems expected, but check with doctor.

Others:

• Use water-base cosmetics.
• Keep medicine away from mouth or eyes.
• If accidentally gets into eyes, flush immediately with clear water.
• Keep away from heat or flame.
• Keep cool, but don't freeze.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Abrasive or	Irritation or too
medicated soaps	much drying.
After-shave lotions	Irritation or too much drying.
Anti-acne topical	Irritation or too much
preparations (other)	drying.
"Cover-up"	Irritation or too
cosmetics	much drying.
Drying cosmetic	Irritation or too
soaps	much drying.
Isoretinoin	Irritation or too much drying.
Mercury compounds	May stain skin black and smell bad.
Perfumed toilet	Irritation or too
water	much drying.
Preparations	Irritation or too
containing skin	much drying.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	None expected.
Beverages:	None expected.
Cocaine:	None expected.
Foods:	None expected.
Marijuana:	None expected.
Tobacco:	None expected.