Indication: To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of erythromycin tablets, USP and other antibacterial drugs, erythromycin tablets, USP should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria. When culture and susceptibility information are available, they should be considered in selecting or modifying antibacterial therapy. In the absence of such data, local epidemiology and susceptibility patterns may contribute to the empiric selection of therapy. Erythromycin tablets, USP are indicated in the treatment of infections caused by susceptible strains of the designated microorganisms in the diseases listed below: Upper respiratory tract infections of mild to moderate degree caused by Streptococcus pyogenes Streptococcus pneumoniae Haemophilus influenzae H. influenzae Lower respiratory tract infections of mild to moderate severity caused by Streptococcus pyogenes Streptococcus pneumoniae Listeriosis caused by Listeria monocytogenes Respiratory tract infections due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae Skin and skin structure infections of mild to moderate severity caused by Streptococcus pyogenes Staphylococcus aureus Pertussis (whooping cough) caused by Bordetella pertussis Diphtheria: Infections due to Corynebacterium diphtheriae Erythrasma: In the treatment of infections due to Corynebacterium minutissimum Intestinal amebiasis caused by Entamoeba histolytica Acute pelvic inflammatory disease caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae TM N. gonorrhoeae Erythromycins are indicated for treatment of the following infections caused by Chlamydia trachomatis Chlamydia trachomatis 3 When tetracyclines are contraindicated or not tolerated, erythromycin is indicated for the treatment of nongonococcal urethritis caused by Ureaplasma urealyticum 3 Primary syphilis caused by Treponema pallidum Legionnaires' Disease caused by Legionella pneumophila in vitro Prophylaxis Prevention of Initial Attacks of Rheumatic Fever Penicillin is considered by the American Heart Association to be the drug of choice in the prevention of initial attacks of rheumatic fever (treatment of Streptococcus pyogenes infections of the upper respiratory tract e.g., tonsillitis or pharyngitis). 1 Prevention of Recurrent Attacks of Rheumatic Fever Penicillin or sulfonamides are considered by the American Heart Association to be the drugs of choice in the prevention of recurrent attacks of rheumatic fever. In patients who are allergic to penicillin and sulfonamides, oral erythromycin is recommended by the American Heart Association in the long-term prophylaxis of streptococcal pharyngitis (for the prevention of recurrent attacks of rheumatic fever). 1