Advice for healthcare professionals:
be aware of reports of cardiotoxicity (QT interval prolongation) with macrolide antibiotics, in particular with erythromycin and clarithromycin
erythromycin should not be given to patients with:
a history of QT interval prolongation (congenital or documented acquired QT interval prolongation) or ventricular cardiac arrhythmia, including torsades de pointes
electrolyte disturbances (hypokalaemia or hypomagnesaemia due to the risk of arrhythmia associated with QT interval prolongation)
consider the potential benefit of treatment against the cardiac risks when prescribing in patients at increased risk of a cardiac event; patients in whom caution is needed are those with:
cardiac disease or heart failure