Erythromycin Estolate

**Semantic type:** Amino Acid, Peptide, or Protein|Antibiotic|Pharmacologic Substance

**Definition:** The lauryl sulfate ester of propionyl erythromycin, a broad-spectrum, topical macrolide antibiotic with antibacterial activity. Erythromycin estolate diffuses through the bacterial cell membrane and reversibly binds to the 50S subunit of the bacterial ribosome. This prevents bacterial protein synthesis. Erythromycin estolate may be bacteriostatic or bactericidal in action, depending on the concentration of the drug at the site of infection and the susceptibility of the organism involved.

**Synonyms:** - ERYTHROMYCIN ESTOLATE - Ilosone