Is Erythromycin safe during pregnancy?
Topical antibiotic recommended for acne in pregnancy (with benzoyl peroxide). Acceptable while breastfeeding.
PregnancyGenerally safe
BreastfeedingGenerally safe
EvidenceModerate
What the sources say
A family-medicine review recommends topical erythromycin (or clindamycin) combined with benzoyl peroxide for inflammatory acne in pregnancy. LactMed considers erythromycin acceptable in nursing mothers and says infant side effects are unlikely with topical acne use; applying it to the nipple could cause diarrhea in the baby, and only water-based products should go on the breast.
Common alternatives
Also listed as
akne-mycin, benzamycin, ery-gel, erygel, erythromycin base, erythromycin topical
Sources
- NIH PubMed (peer-reviewed review): Treatment of Acne in Pregnancy (J Am Board Fam Med, 2016)
- NIH LactMed: Erythromycin - Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed)
Last reviewed . This is general information, not medical advice. Ask your doctor or midwife about your own situation.