Erythromycin Side Effects

Possible side effects of erythromycin are listed below. Call your doctor if they are severe or do not go away.

• Stomach upset
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Decreased appetite

Some of the adverse effects of erythromycin are more serious. Call your doctor right away or seek emergency medical attention if you develop the following serious symptoms:

• Skin rash, hives, itching (signs of an allergic reaction)
• Wheezing 
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Yellowing of the eyes or skin, pale stools, dark urine, right upper abdominal pain, unusual tiredness
• Fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeat
• Seizures
• Severe diarrhea with watery or bloody stools, with or without fever and stomach cramps, up to 2 months after antibiotic treatment

The above list may not include all the potential side effects of erythromycin. Contact your healthcare provider if your side effects are unusual or severe or they do not get better over time. You can also report unusual side effects to the Food and Drug Administration at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Erythromycin Overdose: In case of an overdose of erythromycin, call your doctor immediately. You can also call the national poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Call 911 or emergency services if a person has collapsed, cannot breathe, has had a seizure, or cannot be awakened.

Source: FDA