Erythromycin / Zinc Acetate Solution (Generic Zineryt)

What is Erythromycin/Zinc Acetate Solution used for?

Erythromycin/Zinc Acetate lotion is used to treat all kinds of acne, including hormonal and cystic acne, in particular, it is used to treat moderate cases of the condition.

Erythromycin is an antibiotic that helps to reduce the number of acne-causing bacteria living on the skin, whilst zinc acetate helps the skin contract and heal. These two ingredients work together to clear up acne and calm symptoms like redness in 10-12 weeks.

Erythromycin/Zinc Acetate is only available on prescription, which means you cannot buy Erythromycin/Zinc Acetate over the counter in the UK. You will need a doctor or pharmacist to prescribe it for you after a medical consultation.

You can buy Erythromycin/Zinc Acetate lotion here at The Independent Pharmacy, following a free online consultation.

Does Erythromycin/Zinc Acetate Solution work?

Erythromycin/Zinc Acetate is an effective acne treatment, containing an antibiotic (erythromycin) to kill acne-causing bacteria on the skin, and zinc acetate helps the skin contract and heal after acne breakouts.

You can read what real users really think about this acne treatment over on our Erythromycin Zinc Acetate reviews page. We gather customer reviews for all of our available medicines and treatments using Trustpilot, so you can trust that the customer reviews you read are honest representations of how people find using this treatment.

How long does Erythromycin/Zinc Acetate Solution take to work?

Some users see a difference in their skin in as little as just a few days. In fact, most users see improvements in their skin around a week into treatment.

However, it may take longer for you to see an improvement in acne - everyone is different, and the same treatment may take shorter or longer for different people.

The recommended course of this treatment for acne is a minimum of 10-12 weeks.

Erythromycin/Zinc Acetate in pregnancy

Unlike most acne treatments, Erythromycin/Zinc Acetate can be used during pregnancy.

This is because Erythromycin/Zinc Acetate is a topical treatment, and it has no known side effects that specifically affect pregnant women.

You can also use Erythromycin/Zinc Acetate while breastfeeding. However, it should not be used on the chest area in these circumstances.

Despite this, If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, it is best to ask your GP or pharmacist for advice before using this medicine. Although it is considered safe, it’s always a good idea to discuss any treatment options with your doctor or pharmacist and to choose the lowest-risk medicine possible to treat your condition during pregnancy.

Erythromycin/Zinc Acetate alternatives

Erythromyci/ Zinc Acetate or Dalacin T?

Dalacin T is an antibiotic acne treatment that contains the active ingredient clindamycin phosphate, in contrast to Erythromycin/Zinc Acetate, which contains erythromycin and zinc acetate.

Both work by preventing acne-causing bacteria from producing proteins that are essential to them. Dalacin-T and Erythromycin/Zinc Acetate are very similar treatments.

Erythromycin/Zinc Acetate Solution and Differin

Differin gel (or cream) contains the active ingredient adapalene, a form of vitamin A that reduces the growth of pore-blocking keratin cells. As such, it works slightly differently from Erythromycin/Zinc Acetate.

Differin gel also aids the skin’s natural exfoliation and is usually prescribed for mild acne. Erythromycin/Zinc Acetate and Differin can be used together for additive effects in moderate to severe acne.

Erythromycin/Zinc Acetate Solution or Duac Gel?

Duac gel is a topical antibiotic containing clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide. Similarly to Erythromycin/Zinc Acetate, it’s a good choice for those who cannot take or do not like to take oral antibiotics.

Erythromycin Zinc Acetate is an antibiotic lotion whereas Duac contains an antibiotic and a drying agent, this means Duac can dry the skin more than Erythromycin/Zinc Acetate.

How to use Erythromycin/Zinc Acetate Solution

The instructions in the Patient Information Leaflet that is included with your treatment will tell you how to use lotion, so you’ll just need to read that before you start. We’ll also cover the key points below.

Here is a quick overview of how to use Erythromycin/Zinc Acetate:

• Wash your hands thoroughly with warm water and soap before application
• Erythromycin/Zinc Acetate should be applied all over the affected area, not just to the individual spots
• It should be applied twice a day, morning and evening (unless side effects are experienced at the beginning of treatment where it can be reduced to once daily and increased after a week)
• You should avoid getting the lotion in your eyes, nose or mouth, but if you do, wash the area quickly and thoroughly with lukewarm water. If the eyes continue to become irritated, consult your doctor
• If you apply too much, blot the excess off with some tissue paper
• If you want to apply makeup when using Erythromycin/Zinc Acetate, ensure the the solution has completely dried before you use any cosmetics

Continue your course of treatment as recommended — this is normally around 10-12 weeks.

If you forget to use Erythromycin/Zinc Acetate, you should apply it as soon as you remember — a missed application can slow down acne healing. If your next application is due soon, leave at least three hours before you re-apply it.

How to mix your Erythromycin/Zinc Acetate solution

Erythromycin/Zinc Acetate needs to be mixed prior to use. This means when you first get your treatment, you will need to mix it yourself.

The contents of the packet will include a white crystalline powder and a clear colourless liquid for cutaneous solution. It will also include a dabbing applicator cap that needs to be fitted after the solution is mixed.

To prepare Erythromycin/Zinc Acetate:

• Remove the caps from both the powder and the solution bottles, keeping the cap of the larger powder bottle
• Pour the contents of the solution bottle into the powder bottle
• Recap the bottle using the retained powder bottle cap
• Immediately shake the mixture vigorously for one minute
• Remove and retain the cap from the thoroughly mixed solution
• Open the plastic holder containing the dabbing applicator cap assembly
• Use the plastic holder to position the applicator cap over the neck of the freshly mixed bottle
• Firmly push the applicator assembly into the neck of the bottle, ensuring the dabbing applicator fits firmly into the neck of the bottle
• Replace the retained powder cap over the dabbing applicator on the reconstituted solution
• Add the “Use Before” date to the bottle label; this date will be 5-8 weeks from the date of preparation

Ensure you read the patient information leaflet carefully prior to use. If you are confused or worried at all, speak to your pharmacist or doctor for further advice.

Erythromycin/Zinc Acetate Solution ingredients

Erythromycin/Zinc Acetate solution contains the active ingredients erythromycin (40mg/ml) and zinc acetate (12mg/ml).

Erythromycin is an antibiotic (which kills acne-causing bacteria living on the skin) and zinc acetate is a chemical complex with skin-healing properties, which helps the skin to contract and heal from acne.

Erythromycin Zinc Acetate also contains inactive ingredients diisopropyl sebacate and ethanol to make up the complete product.

Please read all packaging and the Patient Information Leaflet included with your treatment before taking any new medicine.

Erythromycin/Zinc Acetate side effects

Like all medicines, Erythromycin/Zinc Acetate lotion can cause side effects in some people. However, Erythromycin/Zinc Acetate side effects do not affect everyone and generally tend to be mild and uncommon.

The most common side effects are:

• Temporary stinging
• Redness in the area where treatment is applied

These more ‘common’ Erythromycin/Zinc Acetate side effects are classified as rare, which means they may affect up to one in 1,000 people.

While Erythromycin/Zinc Acetate is very effective at reducing inflammatory acne and minimising redness quickly, some users may find their skin becomes dry during treatment. If you find this is the case for you while you are using Erythromycin/Zinc Acetate, it’s worth keeping a light, oil-free moisturiser handy to alleviate some of the dryness.

For a full list of side effects, consult the Erythromycin/Zinc Acetate Lotion Patient Information Leaflet that is enclosed with the treatment.

If you are concerned about Erythromycin/Zinc Acetate side effects, speak to your doctor or pharmacist for further advice.

Likewise, if you experience a worrying adverse effect which is not listed here or in the Patient Information Leaflet or effects which are severe or painful, stop taking Erythromycin/Zinc Acetate and speak to a medical professional immediately.

Allergic reactions & serious side effects

Contact a doctor immediately if you experience a serious skin reaction after using Erythromycin/Zinc Acetate, such as a red, scaly rash with bumps under the skin and blisters. The frequency of this side effect is not known (it cannot be estimated from the available data), but is thought to be very rare.

In very rare cases, It is possible for Erythromycin/Zinc Acetate lotion to cause allergic reactions (anaphylaxis).

If an allergic reaction occurs, you will experience symptoms including:

• Wheezing
• Breathlessness
• Coughing
• Difficulty breathing
• Difficulty talking
• Tightness in the chest or throat
• Swelling of the face, mouth, lips, tongue or throat
• Changes to the skin, such as rashes, itching and red, swollen or peeling skin, including blisters

In a medical emergency such as an allergic reaction, contact the emergency services or go straight to your local A&E.

Erythromycin/Zinc Acetate warnings

You should not use Erythromycin/Zinc Acetate lotion if you:

• Are allergic to erythromycin or any of the macrolide antibiotics.
• Are allergic to any of the other ingredients in Erythromycin/Zinc Acetate.

Contact with the eyes or the mucous membranes of the nose and mouth should be avoided.

Please read the patient information leaflet for a full list of warnings associated with Erythromycin/Zinc Acetate.