Erythra-Derm (Erythromycin Topical) - Description and Clinical Pharmacology

DESCRIPTION:

Erythromycin is an antibiotic produced from a strain of Streptomyces erythraeus. It is basic and readily forms salts with acids.

Chemically, erythromycin is (3R*, 4S*, 5S*, 6R*, 7R*, 9R*, 11R*, 12R*, 13S*, 14R*)-4-[(2,6-Dideoxy-3- C -methyl-3- 0 -methyl-α-L- ribo -hexopyranosyl)oxy]-14-ethyl-7,12,13-trihydroxy-3,5,7,9,11,13-hexamethyl-6-[[3,4,6-trideoxy-3-(dimethylamino)-β-D- xylo -hexopyranosyl]oxy]oxacyclotetradecane-2, 10-dione with a molecular formula of C₃₇H₆₇NO₁₃ and a molecular weight of 733.94. The structural formula is as follows:

Erythromycin Topical Solution USP 2% contains 20 mg/mL of erythromycin base in a vehicle consisting of alcohol (66%), propylene glycol, and citric acid to adjust pH.

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY:

Although the mechanism by which Erythromycin Topical Solution acts in reducing inflammatory lesions of acne vulgaris is unknown, it is presumably due to its antibiotic action.