Generic Ilosone

Common use

Ilosone is attributed to the class of macrolide antibiotics, which also include Zmax and Biaxin. It is active against such patogenes as Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Neisseria gonorrhoeae and used for treatment of infections-upper/lower respiratory tract infections, skin infections, acute pelvic inflammatory disease, erythrasma, gonorrhea, syphilis, listeriosis, Legionnaires' disease.



Dosage and directions

Your individual dosage depends on your age and condition an should be administered by your doctor only. Do not take this drug if it was not prescribed to you. Ilosone may be taken with or without food, but intake on an empty stomach is preferable.



Precautions

Tell your doctor your medical history, especially about liver disease/jaundice, allergies (especially drug allergies). Prolonged use of this medication or repeated treatment by it may result in a secondary infection. This drug should be used during pregnancy only if potential benefit from the treatment exceeds the expected risk. Small amounts of the drug may be excreted with breast milk, so before breast-feeding consult your doctor about possible risk for the baby.



Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to Ilosone or any macrolide antibiotic, preexisting liver disease, epithelial herpes simplex keratitis; fungal disease of eye; vaccinia or varicella (ophthalmic). Caution is advised when this drug is used in children.



Possible side effect

Dispepsia (nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain etc.), liver disorders, cramps, hallucinations, loss of consciousness, reversible loss of hearing, ventricular tachycardia.



Drug interaction

Co-administration of cisapride or pimozide with Iloson can cause dangerous conditions. Ilosone aggravates affects of antiarrhythmic drugs such as Cordarone, Bretylol, Norpace, Tikosyn, Pronestyl, Quinaglute, Quinidex, Quinora and Betapace. Theophyllines reduce Ilosone blood levels.



Missed dose

If you missed a dose take it as soon as you remember. If it almost time of your next dose just skip it and return to your regular schedule. Never double dose this medication.



Overdose

In case of serious and persistent symptoms of liver disorders ranging to acute liver failure and loss of hearing consult your doctor about medical attention.



Storage

Store at room temperature between 59-77 degrees F (15-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture, kids and pets. Do not use after expiration term.



Disclaimer

We provide only general information about medications which does not cover all directions, possible drug integrations, or precautions. Information at the site cannot be used for self-treatment and self-diagnosis. Any specific instructions for a particular patient should be agreed with your health care adviser or doctor in charge of the case. We disclaim reliability of this information and mistakes it could contain. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other indirect damage as a result of any use of the information on this site and also for consequences of self-treatment.

Clinical Verification

Last Clinically Updated: August 15, 2026

Written By

Dr. Elena Vance, PharmD

Clinical Specialist in Neuropharmacology

Fact Checked By

Marcus Thorne, MS

Biomedical Data & FDA Label Verification

Medically Reviewed By

Dr. Arthur Campbell, MD

Board-Certified Psychiatrist (ABPN)