Use of erythromycin in prevention or treatment of postoperative ileus.

摘要

It is with great interest that we read the article by Lightfoot et al.,1 on the lack of the salutary effects of low-dose intravenous erythromycin in patients with postoperative ileus after surgery for bladder cancer. This observation remains in concert with previously published data in humans and practically excludes the possibility of erythromycin being used in the prevention or treatment of postoperative ileus.2 However, we would like to comment on the presented data, taking into account some basic pharmacokinetic data. Any dose of a pharmacologic agent exerts its average maximal effect only after the drug reaches its steady state.