Pediazole (Eryzole)

• Type of Drug: Antibiotic/anti-infective combination.
• Prescribed for: Middle-ear and sinus infections in children.

Pediazole (Eryzole) General Information

This combination of an antibiotic (Erythromycin) and sulfa drug (Sulfisoxasole) was specially formulated for its effect against Haemophilus influenzae, an organism responsible for many eases of difficult-to-treat middle-ear infections in children. Pediazole is also useful for a variety of other infections. Each teaspoonful of the medicine contains 200 mg of Erythromycin and 600 mg of Sulfisoxazole. Although the two drugs work by completely different mechanisms, they complement each other in the ways in which they attack different organisms. Pediazole is especially valuable in cases of H. influenzae middle-ear infection that do not respond to Ampicillin, a widely used and generally effective antibiotic.

Cautions and Warnings

Pediazole should not be given to infants under 2 months of age, because their body systems are not able to break down the Sulfisoxazole in this product. Children who are allergic to any sulfa drug or to any form of Erythromycin should not be given this product.

Pediazole (Eryzole) Possible Side Effects

It is possible for children given this combination product to develop any side effect known to be caused by either Erythromycin or Sulfisoxazole.

• Most common: upset stomach, cramps, drug allergy, and rashes.
• Less common: nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Pediazole may make your child more sensitive to sunlight, an effect that can last for many months after the medicine has been discontinued.

Drug Interactions

• Pediazole may increase the effects of Digoxin, Tolbutamide, Chlorpropamide, Methotrexate, Theophylline, Warfarin, Aspirin (or other salicylates), Phenylbutazone, Carbamazepine, Phenytoin, and Probenecid. Combining Pediazole with any of these drugs may result in an increase in drug side effects; a dosage adjustment of the interacting drug may be necessary.

Pediazole (Eryzole) Food Interactions

Pediazole is best taken on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals. However, if it causes stomach upset, have your child take each dose with food or meals. Be sure your child drinks lots of water while using Pediazole.

Usual Dose

The dosage of Pediazole depends on your child’s body weight and varies from ½ to 2 teaspoons every 6 hours, usually for 10 days. Follow each dose of Pediazole with a full glass of water.

Pediazole (Eryzole) Overdosage

The strawberry/strawberry-banana flavoring of this product makes it a good candidate for accidental overdose, so be sure it is stored in the area of your refrigerator that is least accessible to your child. Pediazole overdosage is most likely to result in blood in the urine, nausea, vomiting, stomach upset and cramps, dizziness, headache, and drowsiness. Overdosage victims must be made to vomit as soon as possible with Syrup of Ipecac (available at any pharmacy) to remove any remaining drug from the stomach. Gall your child’s doctor or a poison control center before doing this, if you must go to a hospital emergency room, ALWAYS bring the medicine bottle with you.

Pediazole (Eryzole) Special Information

This product must be stored under refrigeration and discarded after 2 weeks. Be sure it is labeled with an expiration date when you leave the pharmacy.

Do not stop giving your child this medicine when symptoms disappear. It must be taken for the complete course of treatment prescribed by your doctor.

Call your child’s doctor if nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, discomfort (especially after giving the dosage with meals or food), or other symptoms persist. These symptoms may mean that your child is unable to tolerate this antibiotic and will have to receive different therapy. Severe or unusual side effects should be reported to the doctor at once. Especially important are yellow discoloration of the eyes or skin, darkening of the urine, pale stools, or unusual tiredness, which can all be signs of liver irritation.

If your child misses a dose of Pediazole, give it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for the next dose, space the missed dose and the next dose by 2 to 4 hours and then continue with your child’s regular schedule.