What it means
An antibiotic that stops bacteria from making proteins. It treats some respiratory and skin infections, whooping cough and chlamydia, and is a choice for some clients allergic to penicillin. A 0.5% eye ointment is put in every newborn's eyes soon after birth to prevent eye infection from gonorrhea picked up during birth. Upset stomach is common; it can also lengthen the QT interval and raise the levels of many other drugs.
For the nurse
Give the newborn eye ointment as a thin line along the lower lid of each eye, from the inner to the outer corner, within the time the facility sets (usually the first hour or two). Check an adult's other medicines for interactions.
At a glance
| Drug class | macrolide antibiotic |
|---|---|
| Brand names | Ery-Tab, Erythrocin, Erygel |
| Spanish | eritromicina |
| Also written | Ery-Tab, Erythrocin, Erygel |
Related terms
antibiotic
A drug that kills bacteria or stops them from growing.
newborn
A baby in the first 28 days of life.