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erythromycin vs lefamulin

Side-by-side comparison of erythromycin and lefamulin. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.

moderate Known Drug Interaction

Therefore, avoid concomitant use of XENLETA Injection and XENLETA Tablets with such drugs (for example, Class IA and III antiarrhythmics, antipsychotics, erythromycin, moxifloxacin, tricyclic antidepressants).

Recommendation: You should avoid taking these two drugs together. Ask your doctor for a different antibiotic that does not carry this risk.

Drug Class
erythromycin Macrolide Antibiotic
lefamulin Pleuromutilin Antibiotic
Type
erythromycin Prescription
lefamulin Prescription
Summary
erythromycin

Erythromycin Topical Solution is a medicine that you put on your skin to treat acne. It contains an antibiotic to help clear up your skin.

lefamulin

Xenleta is an antibiotic medicine. It is used to treat pneumonia caused by bacteria in adults.

What It Treats
erythromycin

Erythromycin Topical Solution treats acne vulgaris. This medicine helps to reduce acne on your face, neck, shoulders, chest, and back. It works by fighting the bacteria that cause acne.

lefamulin

Xenleta treats community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP) in adults. This type of pneumonia is caused by germs like Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Haemophilus influenzae, Legionella pneumophila, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Chlamydophila pneumoniae. This medicine should only be used to treat infections that are proven or very likely to be caused by bacteria.

How It Works
erythromycin

Erythromycin is a macrolide antibiotic. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria. This helps to reduce inflammation and clear up acne.

lefamulin

Xenleta is a pleuromutilin antibiotic. It works by stopping bacteria from growing. This helps your body fight off the infection.

Common Side Effects
erythromycin
  • Peeling
  • Dryness
  • Itching
  • Redness
  • Oily skin
lefamulin
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Liver enzyme elevation
  • Reactions where the injection was given
FAERS Reports
erythromycin
  • Drug Hypersensitivity 4,088
  • Nausea 1,271
  • Vomiting 1,121
  • Diarrhoea 1,069
  • Dyspnoea 1,023
lefamulin

No adverse event reports.

Serious Warnings
erythromycin

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to any of its ingredients.

lefamulin

Xenleta can cause changes in your heart rhythm (QT prolongation). This can be dangerous if you have heart problems or take other medicines that affect your heart. Xenleta can also harm an unborn baby, so women who can get pregnant should use birth control while taking it and for 2 days after the last dose. Diarrhea can occur with this medicine; tell your doctor if it becomes severe.

Pregnancy
erythromycin

It is not known if erythromycin topical solution can harm an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

lefamulin

Xenleta may harm your unborn baby. Use effective birth control while taking Xenleta and for 2 days after your last dose if you are a woman who can get pregnant. Do not breastfeed while taking Xenleta and for 2 days after the last dose. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby during this time.

Also Compare, Nearby Drugs

How to Read This erythromycin vs lefamulin Comparison

erythromycin is classified in the Macrolide Antibiotic drug class, while lefamulin sits within the Pleuromutilin Antibiotic class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.

Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, erythromycin has 8,572 submissions while lefamulin has 0. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known moderate interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to these two drugs can both interfere with the electrical signals that control your heartbeat. using them at the same time makes a dangerous heart rhythm more likely.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.

A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between erythromycin and lefamulin - always consult your physician or pharmacist first.

Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.