I stopped taking erythromycin....?

Question

BASICALLY! I went to docs few months back, because i had acne on my back, yeah gross... it hurt alot but anyway he gave me erythromycin antibiotics to clear it up. And it worked :) He told me to keep taking for like 6 months to a year otherwise it could come back i said ok and i have been. Anyway, I went on holiday and being stupid forgot to take the pills with me. I didn't take for like 3 weeks, and it has come back. I started taking them again recently but my question is that i have read things about antibiotics and if you stop taking you can become immune to them. It hasn't seemed to clear up yet again. Im wondering if im wasting my time carrying on taking them. Should i go back to docs, just he been my doc for a long time i dont want to look stupid :p Thanks for any help!

Answer 1

I don't think the erythromycin has lost it effectiveness for you.  You probably just need to keep taking them for awhile.

Maybe using a topical erythromycin would be better for you.  I know it's easier just to take the pill but putting it on you skin would have less side effects on your body as a whole.  

If you use the topical erythromycin, be sure to wash your skin very well each time so that the erythromycin can make good contact with the skin.  

Yes, go back to the doctor, he understands I'm sure.  Really what you did was not at all stupid.  Ask him if he thinks you should continue.  Oh, and ask him about the topical erythromycin also.

I'm thinking maybe you've already tried Pro Active?

If not, ask your doctor about that also.

Answer 2

You don't become immune by stopping them, you become immune by over taking them. Your body will build up a tolerance and then when you really need it, like for pneumonia, bronchitis, ear infection you're going to have troubles. Go to another doctor. I don't know anyone who treats acne with antibiotics. They make really good topical solutions for acne now that really work, like Pro Active.