Ilosone: Potent Macrolide Antibiotic for Bacterial Infections
| Product dosage: 250 mg | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Package (num) | Per tab | Price | Buy |
| 60 | $0.97 | $58.18 (0%) | 🛒 Add to cart |
| 90 | $0.91
Best per tab | $87.27 $82.26 (6%) | 🛒 Add to cart |
| Product dosage: 500 mg | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Package (num) | Per tab | Price | Buy |
| 30 | $1.81 | $54.17 (0%) | 🛒 Add to cart |
| 60 | $1.62 | $108.34 $97.30 (10%) | 🛒 Add to cart |
| 90 | $1.37
Best per tab | $162.50 $123.38 (24%) | 🛒 Add to cart |
Synonyms | |||
Ilosone (erythromycin estolate) is a time-tested macrolide antibiotic formulation designed for the effective treatment of a wide range of bacterial infections. With its established efficacy profile and broad-spectrum activity, it remains a cornerstone in antimicrobial therapy for respiratory, skin, and soft tissue infections. The estolate salt formulation offers enhanced oral bioavailability, ensuring reliable systemic delivery. Trusted by clinicians for decades, Ilosone provides a critical therapeutic option in both community and hospital settings.
Features
- Active ingredient: Erythromycin estolate
- Drug class: Macrolide antibiotic
- Available formulations: 250 mg and 500 mg tablets; oral suspension
- Mechanism: Bacteriostatic action through inhibition of bacterial protein synthesis
- Spectrum: Effective against Gram-positive bacteria, some Gram-negative organisms, and atypical pathogens
- Pharmacokinetics: Enhanced gastrointestinal absorption compared to other erythromycin salts
Benefits
- Effectively treats respiratory tract infections including pneumonia, bronchitis, and pertussis
- Provides reliable coverage against skin and soft tissue infections caused by susceptible organisms
- Offers convenient oral administration with flexible dosing schedules
- Demonstrates activity against penicillin-allergic patients as an alternative treatment option
- Shows efficacy against atypical pathogens including Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Legionella species
- Maintains established safety profile with extensive clinical experience spanning decades
Common use
Ilosone is commonly prescribed for the treatment of mild to moderate bacterial infections caused by susceptible microorganisms. Primary indications include upper and lower respiratory tract infections such as pharyngitis, tonsillitis, acute bronchitis, and community-acquired pneumonia. Dermatological applications encompass impetigo, erysipelas, and cellulitis caused by streptococcal and staphylococcal species. Additional uses include treatment of pertussis (whooping cough), diphtheria (as adjunctive therapy), erythrasma, and intestinal amebiasis. Ilosone may also serve as prophylaxis against rheumatic fever recurrence in penicillin-allergic patients and for surgical site infection prevention in certain procedures.
Dosage and direction
Dosage must be individualized based on infection severity, pathogen susceptibility, and patient characteristics. For adults, the typical dosage ranges from 250 mg to 500 mg every 6 hours, or 500 mg to 1,000 mg every 12 hours for more severe infections. The maximum daily dose should not exceed 4 grams. Pediatric dosing is based on body weight: 30-50 mg/kg/day divided into 3-4 equal doses. For pertussis treatment, the recommended pediatric dosage is 40-50 mg/kg/day divided into 4 doses for 14 days. Administration should occur either on an empty stomach (1 hour before or 2 hours after meals) or with food if gastrointestinal upset occurs. Tablets should be swallowed whole with a full glass of water; the oral suspension should be shaken well before each use. Complete the full course of therapy even if symptoms improve to prevent antibiotic resistance.
Precautions
Hepatic function should be monitored during therapy, as erythromycin estolate has been associated with cholestatic hepatitis. Exercise caution in patients with pre-existing liver disease or hepatic impairment. Use with caution in patients with renal impairment; dosage adjustment may be necessary for severe renal dysfunction (creatinine clearance <10 mL/min). May prolong the QT interval; avoid use in patients with known QT prolongation, electrolyte abnormalities, or concurrent use of other QT-prolonging medications. Caution is advised in patients with myasthenia gravis due to potential neuromuscular blocking effects. Superinfection with nonsusceptible organisms, including fungi, may occur during prolonged therapy. Pseudomembranous colitis has been reported with nearly all antibacterial agents; consider this diagnosis in patients who develop diarrhea during or after antibiotic treatment.
Contraindications
Ilosone is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to erythromycin, other macrolide antibiotics, or any component of the formulation. Contraindicated in patients with pre-existing liver disease or hepatic dysfunction due to increased risk of hepatotoxicity. Should not be used concurrently with ergot derivatives or ergot-like drugs due to potential for severe vasoconstriction. Contraindicated in patients taking cisapride, pimozide, or terfenadine due to risk of serious cardiac arrhythmias. Avoid use in patients with known history of QT prolongation or ventricular arrhythmias, including torsades de pointes.
Possible side effect
Gastrointestinal disturbances are most common, including nausea (8-15%), vomiting (2-8%), abdominal pain (5-10%), and diarrhea (5-15%). Mild allergic reactions such as skin rash (2-5%) and urticaria (1-3%) may occur. Hepatic effects include transient elevation of liver enzymes (3-8%) and, rarely, cholestatic hepatitis (0.1-0.5%). Ototoxicity, manifested as reversible hearing loss, may occur with high doses or renal impairment. Cardiac effects include QT prolongation and, rarely, ventricular arrhythmias. Other reported effects include pseudomembranous colitis, superinfection, and antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Most side effects are dose-related and reversible upon discontinuation of therapy.
Drug interaction
Ilosone demonstrates significant cytochrome P450 3A4 inhibition, resulting in numerous clinically important interactions. Concurrent use with CYP3A4 substrates may increase their serum concentrations and toxicity risk: these include warfarin (increased anticoagulant effect), theophylline (increased serum levels), carbamazepine (increased neurotoxicity risk), and cyclosporine (nephrotoxicity risk). Concomitant use with statins (particularly simvastatin and lovastatin) increases risk of rhabdomyolysis. Avoid concurrent administration with ergot alkaloids due to risk of ergotism. Serious interactions occur with drugs that prolong QT interval, including antiarrhythmics (quinidine, procainamide), antipsychotics, and certain antidepressants. May reduce efficacy of oral contraceptives; recommend additional contraceptive methods during therapy.
Missed dose
If a dose is missed, it should be taken as soon as remembered unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and resume the regular dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to make up for a missed administration. Maintaining consistent antibiotic blood levels is important for therapeutic efficacy; patients should be advised to establish a routine for medication administration. If multiple doses are missed or uncertainty exists about dosing, consult the prescribing healthcare provider for guidance.
Overdose
Symptoms of overdose may include severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Hepatotoxicity may manifest as jaundice, dark urine, or clay-colored stools. Ototoxicity may present as hearing loss, tinnitus, or vertigo. Cardiac effects may include QT prolongation and ventricular arrhythmias. Management is primarily supportive and symptomatic. Gastric lavage may be considered if ingestion occurred recently. Activated charcoal may be administered to reduce absorption. Electrolyte imbalances should be corrected, and cardiac monitoring is recommended for significant overdoses. Hemodialysis is not effective for erythromycin removal due to high protein binding and extensive tissue distribution.
Storage
Store at controlled room temperature between 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F). Protect from light and moisture. Keep the container tightly closed. Do not freeze the oral suspension. Discard any unused oral suspension after the expiration date or 14 days after reconstitution, whichever comes first. Keep out of reach of children and pets. Do not transfer medication to other containers, as this may affect stability and identification. Do not use if the product shows signs of deterioration or discoloration.
Disclaimer
This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Ilosone is a prescription medication that should be used only under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional. The prescribing physician should be consulted for specific medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment recommendations. Individual patient response may vary, and not all possible uses, precautions, side effects, or interactions are listed here. Healthcare providers should reference the complete prescribing information before initiating therapy.
Reviews
Clinical studies demonstrate Ilosone’s efficacy in treating respiratory infections with success rates of 85-92% for streptococcal pharyngitis and 80-88% for community-acquired pneumonia. Dermatological applications show cure rates of 87-94% for impetigo and 82-90% for cellulitis caused by susceptible organisms. Long-term safety data from decades of clinical use support its favorable risk-benefit profile when used appropriately. Healthcare providers note its particular value in penicillin-allergic patients and appreciate the flexible dosing options. Patient compliance is generally good due to the well-tolerated nature of the formulation and convenient administration schedule.