Erythromycin/Percocet interaction

[IKnowYouHearMe]

I have had severe heartburn/reflux for some time, regardless of medication. After a gastric empty study my doctor decided to put me on liquid Erythromycin three times a day, because apparently I was one percentage away from an "abnormal" emptying time. Because 60mg of Prevacid wasn't helping me, my doctor thought that perhaps slowed emptying could be causing my persistent burning. On top of my heartburn/reflux problem, I also have a history of ovarian cysts. My menstrual cycles are very painful, and so once a month I end up taking about three Percocet 5/325 pills over two days.

After being on the Erythromycin for a week, I needed to take my Percocet. Usually, if I'm taking the Percocet after the pain has already set in it takes about 45 minutes to an hour for my pain to diminish. Today, however, I felt no pain five minutes after taking the Percocet, and my vision was also off, which will happen after a while. I started having heart palpitations and then felt nauseous, which never happens when I take Oxycodone. After about 45 minutes I noticed I was starting to shake. I was terrified.

With the Erythromycin, if I don't eat for two hours I feel like I'm absolutely starving. I do believe that my digestion has been sped up, and I believe the Erythromycin sped up the Percocet in my body and essentially made it as if I overdosed. I tried talking to a pharmacist about this, but she said the Percocet would have stayed in my body for a longer period of time, not run through it faster. I don't believe this is the case, though, because after an hour and a half all of my pain was back again. My heart calmed, I stopped shaking, and I was in pain. I usually have pain relief for about five hours.

Could the Erythromycin have caused this strange reaction I encountered with Percocet? The only other thing I can think of is the fact that I broke the Percocet into four pieces. I have trouble swallowing large pills. I've always done this with my Percocet, though.

[Liz C, RPh]

I don't think the the Erythromycin would have caused this type of reaction with Percocet. It sounds like side effects from the Percocet. It's possible that since you broke them in pieces it got absorbed faster in your body.

[Alison L, RPh]

Unless you are taking other medications not listed, I do not think you could have experienced serotonin syndrome.

[IKnowYouHearMe]

Thank you for your reply, Liz. I've actually don't a bit more research and I think I might have experienced Serotonin Syndrome. Many of the symptoms fit. Could this be possible? Regardless, I will find another way to control my pain and not break the Percocet anymore.