Ilosone
Ilosone is an antibacterial antibiotic belonging to the macrolide family. It works by destroying the germs responsible for certain inflammations and infections, such as sore throats, ear infections, sinusitis, bronchitis and skin infections.
Ilosone is one of the most widely used antibiotics in the world, so it can be found on the market in several forms (powders, capsules, injectable solutions, gels), and can be used orally, intravenously or on the skin. Dosages and methods of administration vary according to the disease being treated. Ilosone is used to treat sore throats, sinusitis and bronchitis. It is also used to treat certain skin infections (such as impetigo and acne), as well as stomatological and genital infections.
What Does Ilosone Contain?
Ilosone, in the form of a solution for topical application, contains, in addition to its active substance, erythromycin, a series of excipients: 96% ethanol, macrogol 400 and propylene glycol.
Forms and Strengths
This antibiotic is available in capsules (erythromycin 250 mg), tablets (500 mg), sachets of granules (250 mg and 125 mg), lotion and skin gel, and powder for infusion or injection.
How To Take
Ilosone capsules: swallow the capsules unopened with water.
Take this antibiotic orally (tablets, capsules), preferably before meals.
To fight the infection as effectively as possible, erythromycin should be taken at regular intervals throughout the day. Consult your prescription to find out how many times a day you should take it. For example, erythromycin prescribed twice a day should be taken approximately every 12 hours (at 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. or 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.).
Dosage
Your doctor will decide on the dose, frequency and duration of your Ilosone treatment according to your individual case. Follow the instructions on your prescription. The usual adult dose of erythromycin is 500 mg to 1 g per day in 2 doses.
Do not stop your treatment before the end of the prescribed period without medical advice, even if you feel better. Nor should you prolong your course of erythromycin on your own initiative if your symptoms do not improve, but do inform your doctor. Failure to take the prescribed course of erythromycin increases the risk of antibiotic resistance.
Side Effects
The most common side effects of oral erythromycin are digestive: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach ache. This antibiotic can sometimes cause temporary hearing problems (reduced hearing, ringing in the ears).
Stop treatment and contact your doctor if your complexion turns yellow, if you have stomach pains and/or fever. Contact your doctor immediately if you have a severe skin reaction with redness and blistering, if you have severe or persistent diarrhoea, or if you experience heart problems: palpitations, irregular heartbeat, weakness or fainting.
Precautions
Avoid taking Ilosone if you are allergic to erythromycin or any other macrolide antibiotics.
Ilosone should not be taken in combination with several drugs, such as dihydroergotamine and ergotamine (for migraine), astemizole (for allergies), cisapride (for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease), pimozide (an antipsychotic) and colchicine (for gout). It can also interact with many other drugs, including statins (to lower cholesterol) and anticoagulants. Be sure to tell your doctor or pharmacist about all the treatments you are taking.
Tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease. Ilosone may increase the risk of heart rhythm disorders: so also tell your doctor if you have an abnormal heart function or any personal or family history of heart disease.
Contraindications
The use of this medicine is formally contraindicated in cases of allergy to the active substance, Ilosone. It is also generally not recommended for women who are pregnant or breast-feeding, or in combination with other medicines (vasoconstrictors, simvastatin, tacrolimus, etc.). The list of interactions is very long, so it's a good idea to mention all the treatments you are taking.
Undesirable effects
Adverse reactions also depend on the form of the drug and the symptoms to be treated. In the case of injectable solutions, digestive problems (nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea), heart rhythm problems and allergic skin reactions may be observed. The solution for cutaneous application, used to treat acne disorders, may cause skin dryness.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, ask your doctor for advice. Oral Ilosone should only be used during pregnancy on the advice of your doctor. Breast-feeding is not recommended.