TheraRadar
Data updated: Jun 28, 2026

ERYTHROCIN (erythromycin lactobionate) · Pfizer

Infectious Disease Approved 1964-06-25

Erythrocin (erythromycin lactobionate) is an injectable antibiotic indicated for the treatment of infections caused by susceptible strains of microorganisms when oral administration is not possible or when the severity of the illness requires immediate high serum levels. It is used for upper and lower respiratory tract infections, skin and skin structure infections, erythrasma, and as an adjunct to antitoxin for diphtheria. It also serves as an alternative treatment for acute pelvic inflammatory disease caused by *N. gonorrhoeae* in female patients with a history of penicillin sensitivity. For respiratory infections involving *H. influenzae*, it must be used in conjunction with adequate doses of sulfonamides. Intravenous therapy should be transitioned to oral administration at the appropriate clinical juncture.

How ERYTHROCIN Works

Erythromycin exerts its antibacterial effect by binding to the 50S ribosomal subunits of susceptible organisms, thereby inhibiting RNA-dependent protein synthesis. This action prevents bacterial growth and replication without affecting nucleic acid synthesis.

NDA
Small Molecule
5
Indications
--
Phase 3 Trials
62
Years on Market

Details

Status
Prescription
First Approved
1964-06-25
Routes
INJECTION
Dosage Forms
INJECTABLE

Companies

Active Ingredient: ERYTHROMYCIN LACTOBIONATE

ERYTHROCIN Approval History

1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
Original
New Indication
New Form
Label Update
330 FDA actions from 1964 to 2022 · 1 indication expansions
Nov 2022 SUPPL
Label · Labeling
Jul 2021 SUPPL
Label · Labeling
Nov 2019 SUPPL
Label · Labeling

What ERYTHROCIN Treats

8 indications

ERYTHROCIN is approved for 8 conditions since its original approval in 1964. These indications span multiple therapeutic areas including oncology, immunology, and more.

Source: FDA Label

ERYTHROCIN Competitive Set

Pro

Three rings of competition based on shared molecular targets and treated indications.

Unlock 8 more competitors across all three rings.
Upgrade to Pro

Filters applied: drops same-active-ingredient (505(b)(2) reformulations), route-mismatch (topical vs systemic), and cross-therapeutic-area matches in same-indication rings.

Drugs Similar to ERYTHROCIN

3 of 20

FDA-approved drugs for similar conditions. Compare mechanisms and indications to understand treatment alternatives.

E.E.S.
ERYTHROMYCIN ETHYLSUCCINATE
8 shared
CARNEGIE
Shared indications:
ERY-TAB
ERYTHROMYCIN
8 shared
CARNEGIE
Shared indications:
ERYPED
ERYTHROMYCIN ETHYLSUCCINATE
8 shared
CARNEGIE
Shared indications:
📋

Clinical Trial Registry

1 trials
Trial Sponsor ID Phase Status Title
NCT02755064 08-008620 UL1TR000135 Ph 1 completed Relationship Between Gastric Emptying and Glycemic Variability in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
🔬

Active Pipeline

Pro

Ongoing clinical trials by development phase

Loading...

Key Completed Trials

Pro

Completed studies with published results, ranked by significance

Loading...
📊

Trial Timeline

Full development history with FDA approval milestones

|
Loading...
Understanding FDA Approval Types
Count Type What it means
- ORIG Original approval - drug first enters market
- SUPPL - Efficacy New indication (new disease/condition approved)
- SUPPL - Labeling Label text changes (warnings, dosing updates)
- SUPPL - Manufacturing Production changes (new facility)
- SUPPL - Chemistry Formulation changes (new dosage strength)

Green lines in the timeline show ORIG and Efficacy approvals - the clinically meaningful milestones.

ERYTHROCIN FDA Label Details

Indications & Usage

FDA Label (PDF)

Erythrocin Lactobionate-IV (erythromycin lactobionate for injection, USP) is indicated in the treatment of infections caused by susceptible strains of the designated organisms in the diseases listed below when oral administration is not possible or when the severity of the infection requires immediate high serum levels of erythromycin. Intravenous therapy should be replaced by oral administration at the appropriate time. Upper respiratory tract infections of mild to moderate degree caused by Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A beta-hemolytic streptococci); Streptococcus pneumoniae (Diplococcus pne...

Track ERYTHROCIN with TheraRadar Pro

Watchlist alerts, full database access, CSV exports across 14,000+ drugs.

Upgrade to Pro

Data Sources

Data sourced from official FDA and NIH databases. Click links to verify on original sources.