The aim of this study was to determine whether in vitro induced erythromycin resistance facilitates the cross-resistance to the novel fluoroketolide, solithromycin, in Staphylococcus aureus. Long-term exposure of erythromycin results in resistance to ketolides in S. aureus through drug binding site mutations. These results demonstrate that since erythromycin has been used clinically for a long time, it is necessary to carefully evaluate the rewards and risks when prescribing solithromycin for the treatment of infectious diseases.