Biaxin

Generic Name: clarithromycin
Other Brand Names: Biaxin XL, clarithromycin

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 purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Uses Side Effects Precautions Interactions Overdose
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking clarithromycin?

Do not use this medication if you are alleric to clarithromycin or to similar medicines such as azithromycin (Zithromax), dirithromycin (Dynabac), erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin), roxithromycin (Rulid, Surlid), or telithromycin (Ketek).

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:

  • astemizole (Hismanal);

  • cisapride (Propulsid);

  • ergot medicine such as ergotamine (Ergomar, Ergostat, Cafergot, Ercaf, Wigraine), or dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal Nasal Spray);

  • pimozide (Orap); or

  • terfenadine (Seldane).

Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

  • liver disease;

  • kidney disease;

  • porphyria; or

  • a personal or family history of "Long QT syndrome.”

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use clarithcomyin, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. 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 supension (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 are more likely to occur, such as:

  • 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.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

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:

  • astemizole (Hismanal);

  • cisapride (Propulsid);

  • ergot medicine such as ergotamine (Ergomar, Ergostat, Cafergot, Ercaf, Wigraine), or dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal Nasal Spray);

  • pimozide (Orap); or

  • terfenadine (Seldane).

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:

  • cilostazol (Pletal);

  • bromocriptine (Parlodel);

  • omeprazole (Prilosec);

  • fluconazole (Diflucan);

  • ranitidine bismuth citrate (Tritec);

  • rifabutin (Mycobutin);

  • sildenafil (Viagra);

  • theophylline (Respbid, Theo-Dur, Theoclear, Theochron, Uniphyl);

  • cholesterol-lowering medicines such as lovastatin (Mevacor), simvastatin (Zocor), pravastatin (Pravachol), fluvastatin (Lescol), atorvastatin (Lipitor), or cerivastatin (Baycol);

  • 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).

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use clarithromycin, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect 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.

What happens if I have an overdose of clarithromycin?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Symptoms of a clarithromycin overdose may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal discomfort.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 2/11/2008