Erythromycin ointment and its use as a remedy for pimples and acne

Erythromycin ointment is a fairly popular drug, which many know as a well-known remedy for acne or as a medicine for infectious and inflammatory eye diseases. This ointment is not one of the scarce or expensive pharmacy drugs. And the low price makes it affordable even for teenagers.

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Indications of erythromycin ointment for acne.

The main active ingredient of the ointment is an antibiotic - erythromycin, which is the reason for its use in bacterial lesions. Eye diseases, acne and teenage acne are not the only indications for the use of erythromycin, which is one of the most "ancient" and strong antibiotics, active against many harmful microorganisms. With the help of erythromycin, such serious diseases as pneumonia, diphtheria, tonsillitis, some venereal infections and other diseases are successfully treated.

An erythromycin-based ointment containing only 1% of the antibiotic is used for external diseases. These can be wounds contaminated with pathogenic bacteria, severe burns, bedsores (tissue death due to prolonged pressure on them), and trophic ulcers.

Erythromycin ointment is often called an eye ointment, since it successfully treats both common conjunctivitis and trachoma, which is a serious disease that threatens vision loss. Along with oxolinic ointment, some people use erythromycin-based ointment as a preventive measure during the riot of various viruses and infections, although there is no such indication in the instructions for the drug, and erythromycin itself, being a strong agent, requires caution in use.

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Pharmacodynamics

Since the ointment contains an antibiotic, it is clear that the ointment has an antibacterial effect. The pharmacodynamics of the ointment is based on the action of its active substance - erythromycin. It, in turn, is capable of affecting many gram-positive and some gram-negative bacteria. In any case, before you start using erythromycin-based drugs, you need to conduct certain tests to identify the causative agent of the disease and the activity of the antibiotic against them.

Erythromycin is one of the best antibiotics with a pronounced bacteriostatic effect. That is, under its influence, microorganisms lose the ability to grow and reproduce. Local application of the drug in the form of an ointment is based on this ability of erythromycin. After all, it is very difficult to achieve a bactericidal effect that causes rapid death of bacteria with such a small concentration of antibiotic in the ointment.

The fact that erythromycin ointment does not kill bacteria, but only gradually destroys their cellular structure and intercellular connections, does not mean that it is ineffective. It just may take a certain amount of time to achieve the desired result. This is precisely the point that may cause doubts among those who are interested in whether erythromycin ointment helps against acne.

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Pharmacokinetics

The pharmacokinetics of erythromycin ointment indicate that this drug penetrates into various tissues of the body and into the blood fairly quickly, but its concentration in the blood plasma remains low. The high penetrating ability of erythromycin also determines some features of its use.

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Dosing and administration

Erythromycin ointment is a product intended for external use, which means it should be applied directly to the skin, naturally, after preliminary preparation of the skin.

The method of using erythromycin ointment for acne is no different from the advice on using many external ointments. To begin with, it is recommended to cleanse the skin of fat, sweat and dirt. For this, you can use soap, including antibacterial and household soap, which are famous for their enviable antimicrobial effect, or special cleansers. Then the skin should be blotted dry with a clean soft cloth.

Erythromycin ointment for acne should not be applied to the entire surface of the skin, but only to the areas where acne or pimples are located. Doctors recommend doing this procedure 1, and in some cases 2-3 times a day. The ointment is applied to the skin in a thin layer with light movements. It is well tolerated by patients and is quickly absorbed.

Only a specialist doctor can determine how long the therapy will last. The duration of treatment depends on the severity of the infectious process. If the initial stage involves treatment lasting 1-3 weeks, then with an average severity, it may be necessary to increase the duration of therapy to 6-8 weeks strictly under the supervision of a doctor, since long-term use of the drug can cause an increase in the antimicrobial effect, leading to a change in the entire bacteriological environment of the body. That is, not only harmful, but also beneficial bacteria will die.

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Use of erythromycin ointment for acne. during pregnancy

Using erythromycin ointment for acne during pregnancy is not entirely safe. The fact is that the placental barrier is not an obstacle for erythromycin, it is able to penetrate the placenta directly to the fetus. And although the ointment contains a very small amount of antibiotic, the appropriateness and safety of its use should be discussed with a specialist doctor.

The same applies to the use of the ointment during breastfeeding. Easily penetrating many tissues and body fluids, erythromycin can enter breast milk and enter the baby's body with it. Most often, during the use of erythromycin ointment, doctors advise to stop breastfeeding, transferring the baby to artificial feeding.

Contraindications

The drug is broken down in the liver and excreted by the kidneys. For this reason, contraindications to use may also include severe liver disease, as well as a history of jaundice. And, of course, a common contraindication to the use of the ointment is individual intolerance to drugs based on macrolide antibiotics, which include erythromycin. Patients with kidney disease should be careful when using ointment with erythromycin.

Taking into account all the indications and contraindications, erythromycin ointment can be effectively used for acne and acne vulgaris, but it is advisable to do this after a preliminary consultation with a dermatologist.

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Side effects of erythromycin ointment for acne.

Rare side effects of erythromycin ointment for acne include minor redness and peeling at the site of application of the drug, especially in the first days of using the product. If these symptoms do not go away within a week, the doctor should reconsider the prescription.

In extremely rare cases, erythromycin ointment may cause more serious reactions, such as rashes and swelling of the skin or even dizziness. Such symptoms require immediate discontinuation of the drug.

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Overdose

When erythromycin ointment is applied locally, an overdose of the drug is not observed; however, the possibility of side effects cannot be ruled out.

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Interactions with other drugs

The fact that erythromycin ointment contains a strong antibiotic is also associated with the presence of some nuances in its use, which concern the interaction of this drug with other drugs.

In addition to incompatibility with some antibiotics of the lincosamide group (Lincomycin and Clindomycin), erythromycin ointment for acne is an antagonist of the antimicrobial drug Chloramphenicol, often used in the treatment of eye infections, as well as its analogues, the most famous of which is Levomycetin. These drugs have a directly opposite effect, which means that their combined use will only reduce the effectiveness of treatment.

Beta-lactam antibiotics (penicillin, cephalosporin and carbapenem series) when used together with erythrocycin in various forms lose their effectiveness as bactericidal drugs.

Erythromycin can enhance the toxic effect of some drugs, creating an increased concentration of them in the blood plasma. Such drugs include Theophylline, Aminophylline, Cyclosporine, as well as caffeine and some drugs that are broken down in the liver.

Hormonal contraceptives under the influence of erythromycin begin to cope with their duties worse, and this must also be taken into account when using erythromycin ointment, which can penetrate deep into the tissues and fluids of the body.

When using erythromycin ointment as a remedy for acne and pimples, it is important to remember that preliminary cleansing of the skin with facial and body scrubs containing abrasive particles and having an exfoliating effect can lead to excessive irritation and overdrying of the skin.

In any case, before you start using erythromycin ointment as a treatment, you should consult with your doctor about the safety of its use, especially if you are prescribed other medications.

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Storage conditions

It does not require special storage conditions and perfectly retains its properties at room temperature. Since the ointment contains an antibiotic, it is worth reminding that such medications may be unsafe for children, so they should be stored in places where access to children is limited.

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Shelf life

Erythromycin-based ointment is available in 10-gram tubes and has a shelf life of 3 years.

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When using erythromycin in the form of an ointment, do not forget about some precautions related to the skin reaction to the drug. Do not use the ointment if you have an allergic reaction to this external agent. Also, do not apply the ointment in a very thick layer, this does not enhance the effectiveness, but only increases the toxic effect of the antibiotic-based drug.

Erythromycin ointment is considered one of the most effective local remedies for acne and pimples, but its effectiveness directly depends on the accuracy of the doctor's instructions regarding this ointment. Adhere to the dosage and frequency of use that your doctor will establish for you, based on the individual characteristics of the body and the extent of the infectious and inflammatory process, and after some time your skin will again become clean and attractive.

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