What is clarithromycin?
Clarithromycin is in a group of drugs called macrolide antibiotics. Clarithromycin fights bacteria
in your body.
Clarithromycin is used to treat many different types of bacterial infections affecting the skin and
respiratory system. Clarithromycin is also used together with other medicines to treat stomach ulcers
caused by Helicobacter pylori.
Clarithromycin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking clarithromycin?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to clarithromycin or to similar medicines such
as azithromycin (Zithromax), dirithromycin (Dynabac), erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Ery-Tab,
Erythrocin), or troleandomycin (Tao).
Do not use clarithromycin if you are also using any of the drugs listed below. They can
interact with clarithromycin and cause life-threatening heart rhythm disorders:
-
cisapride (Propulsid);
-
pimozide (Orap); or
-
ergot medicine such as ergotamine (Ergomar, Ergostat,
Cafergot, Ercaf, Wigraine), or dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal Nasal Spray).
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment
or special tests to safely take clarithromycin:
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether clarithromycin is
harmful to an unborn baby. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to
become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether clarithromycin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing
baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Do not give this medicine to a child younger than 6 months of age.
How should I take clarithromycin?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger
amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your
prescription label.
Take this medication with a full glass (8 ounces) of water.
Clarithromycin tablets and oral suspension (liquid) can be taken with or without food.
Clarithromycin extended-release tablets (Biaxin XL) should be taken with food
Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release tablet. Swallow the pill whole. It is
specially made to release medicine slowly in the body. Breaking the pill would cause too much of the
drug to be released at one time.
Shake the oral suspension well just before you measure a dose. To be sure you get the
correct dose, measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular
table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Clarithromycin
is usually given for 7 to 14 days (or longer when treating stomach ulcer). Your symptoms may get
better before the infection is completely treated. Clarithromycin will not treat a viral infection such as the
common cold or flu.
Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not keep the
oral liquid in a refrigerator.
What happens if I miss a dose of clarithromycin?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the
missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time.
Do not
take
extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about clarithromycin?
Your pharmacist has information about clarithromycin written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of clarithromycin?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
-
uneven heartbeats, chest pain, shortness of breath;
-
diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
-
nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark
urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
-
fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering,
peeling, and red skin rash; or
-
problems with your hearing.
Less serious side effects may include:
-
mild stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, upset stomach;
-
unusual or unpleasant taste in your mouth;
-
tooth discoloration;
-
dizziness, headache, anxiety, confusion;
-
skin rash; or
-
vaginal itching or discharge.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about clarithromycin?
Do not use clarithromycin if you are also using any of the drugs listed below. They can
interact with clarithromycin and cause life-threatening heart rhythm disorders:
-
cisapride (Propulsid);
-
pimozide (Orap); or
-
ergot medicine such as ergotamine (Ergomar, Ergostat,
Cafergot, Ercaf, Wigraine), or dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal Nasal Spray).
Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your
doctor. Clarithromycin is usually given for 7 to 14 days (or longer when treating stomach ulcer). Your
symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Clarithromycin will not treat a viral
infection such as the common cold or flu.
What should I avoid while taking clarithromycin?
Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have
diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the
diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.
What other drugs will affect clarithromycin?
Before taking clarithromycin, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
-
a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);
-
omeprazole (Prilosec);
-
fluconazole (Diflucan);
-
ranitidine bismuth citrate (Tritec);
-
sildenafil (Viagra);
-
theophylline (Respbid, Theo-Dur, Theoclear, Theochron,
Uniphyl);
-
cholesterol-lowering medicines such as lovastatin
(Mevacor), simvastatin (Zocor), pravastatin (Pravachol), fluvastatin (Lescol), or atorvastatin
(Lipitor);
-
drugs that weaken your immune system, such as
cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune, Gengraf), sirolimus (Rapamune), tacrolimus (Prograf), or
steroids;
-
heart rhythm medicine such as digoxin (digitalis,
Lanoxicaps, Lanoxin), disopyramide (Norpace), or quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinaglute);
-
HIV medicines such as ritonavir (Norvir) or zidovudine
(Retrovir);
-
a sedative such as alprazolam (Xanax), midazolam
(Versed), or triazolam (Halcion); or
-
seizure medications such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol,
Tegretol), phenytoin (Dilantin), and valproic acid (Depakote, Depakene).
This list is not complete and there are many other
medicines that can interact with clarithromycin.
Tell your doctor about all the
prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal
products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling
your doctor. Keep a list with you of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other
healthcare provider who treats you.
What happens if I have an overdose of clarithromycin?
