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erythromycin vs oxybutynin

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

minor Known Drug Interaction

Other inhibitors of the cytochrome P450 3A4 enzyme system, such as antimycotic agents (e.g., itraconazole and miconazole) or macrolide antibiotics (e.g., erythromycin and clarithromycin), may alter oxybutynin mean pharmacokinetic parameters (i.e., C max and AUC).

Recommendation: Your doctor may need to adjust your dose or monitor you more closely for side effects.

Drug Class
erythromycin Macrolide Antibiotic
oxybutynin Anticholinergic / Antispasmodic
Type
erythromycin Prescription
oxybutynin 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.

oxybutynin

Oxybutynin extended-release tablets help control an overactive bladder. It reduces the feeling of needing to go to the bathroom often.

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.

oxybutynin

This medicine treats overactive bladder. It helps with symptoms like needing to urinate frequently, feeling a sudden urge to urinate, and leaking urine. It can also treat overactive bladder in children 6 years and older caused by nerve problems.

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.

oxybutynin

Oxybutynin belongs to a class of drugs called antimuscarinics. It works by relaxing the bladder muscles. This helps to decrease the urge to urinate and prevent leakage.

Common Side Effects
erythromycin
  • Peeling
  • Dryness
  • Itching
  • Redness
  • Oily skin
oxybutynin
  • Dry mouth
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Headache
  • Feeling sleepy
FAERS Reports
erythromycin
  • Drug Hypersensitivity 4,088
  • Nausea 1,271
  • Vomiting 1,121
  • Diarrhoea 1,069
  • Dyspnoea 1,023
oxybutynin
  • Feeling tired 1,539
  • Falling down 1,466
  • Feeling sick to your stomach 1,211
  • Feeling unsteady or lightheaded 1,143
  • Loose, watery stools 1,078
Serious Warnings
erythromycin

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

oxybutynin

Oxybutynin can cause swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and throat (angioedema). If this happens, stop taking the medicine right away and get medical help. This medicine can also cause confusion, hallucinations, and drowsiness. Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how it affects you. Use caution if you have dementia, Parkinson's disease, myasthenia gravis, or decreased gut motility.

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.

oxybutynin

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if this medicine will harm your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding.

Also Compare, Nearby Drugs

How to Read This erythromycin vs oxybutynin Comparison

erythromycin is classified in the Macrolide Antibiotic drug class, while oxybutynin sits within the Anticholinergic / Antispasmodic 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 oxybutynin has 6,437. 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 minor interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to erythromycin slows down the process your body uses to get rid of oxybutynin. this can cause the level of oxybutynin in your blood to rise higher than normal.. 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 oxybutynin - 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.