Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: E E S versus PCE.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: E E S versus PCE.
E.E.S. vs PCE
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Erythromycin (E.E.S.) binds to the 50S subunit of bacterial ribosomes, inhibiting peptide chain elongation and protein synthesis. It also exhibits prokinetic effects on the gastrointestinal tract via motilin receptor agonism.
PCE (erythromycin) binds to the 50S subunit of bacterial ribosomes, inhibiting protein synthesis by blocking translocation of peptides.
250-500 mg every 6 hours orally or 15-20 mg/kg/day IV divided every 6 hours.
Erythromycin ethylsuccinate (PCE) typical adult dose: 400 mg orally every 6 hours or 800 mg orally every 12 hours. Maximum 4 g/day.
None Documented
None Documented
1.5-2 hours in adults with normal renal function; prolonged to 4-6 hours in patients with hepatic impairment; may be shorter in children.
Terminal elimination half-life is approximately 3-5 hours in adults with normal renal function; may be prolonged to 7-10 hours in renal impairment (CrCl <30 mL/min).
Primarily hepatic (biliary) excretion of unchanged drug and active metabolites; approximately 15% of an oral dose is excreted unchanged in urine. The remainder is eliminated via feces as unchanged drug and metabolites.
Primarily renal (about 70-80% as unchanged drug and metabolites via glomerular filtration and tubular secretion); minor biliary/fecal elimination (10-15%).
Category C
Category C
Macrolide Antibiotic
Macrolide Antibiotic