What is a therapeutic use for erythromycin related to gastrointestinal issues?

Prepare for the Lippincott Pharmacology Exam with interactive flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each accompanied by detailed hints and explanations. Master your exam with ease!

Erythromycin is often used therapeutically to enhance gastrointestinal motility due to its prokinetic properties. It acts as a motilin receptor agonist, which stimulates the motility of the upper gastrointestinal tract, making it beneficial in managing conditions like gastroparesis. By increasing the contractions of the digestive muscles, erythromycin helps to promote gastric emptying and alleviate symptoms associated with delayed gastric emptying, such as nausea and vomiting.

The other options listed are not related to the therapeutic use of erythromycin for gastrointestinal issues. QTc prolongation is a cardiac effect that can occur with certain antibiotics but is not a therapeutic application. Photosensitivity is an adverse effect associated with some medications, particularly those in the tetracycline class, but it is not relevant to the use of erythromycin for gastrointestinal purposes. Deposition in bone pertains to the tetracycline class and relates to calcium binding and is not an effect of erythromycin. Thus, the correct answer emphasizes erythromycin's role in enhancing gastrointestinal motility, making it a pharmacological choice for specific gastrointestinal disorders.

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