Clarithromycin is an antibiotic used to treat infections of the skin and respiratory system caused by susceptible bacteria. Doctors also sometimes prescribe it with other drugs to treat stomach ulcers that are caused by bacteria. Clarithromycin also is sold under the brand names Biaxin and Biaxin X. It works by interfering with bacterial protein production.
Macrolides
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Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answeredYou might notice improvement after a few doses of clarithromycin. However, it is very important to finish all of the medicine even if your symptoms have cleared. Failure to do so could leave bacteria in your system, which could not only grow back into an infection, but the re-growth could then be resistant to antibiotics. -
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Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered
While clarithromycin is considered a safe drug, it can interact with other medications and with other medical conditions. To avoid risk when taking clarithromycin, make sure you tell your doctor about all of the medications you are taking, especially pimozide (sold under the brand name Orap) and ergot drugs, such as Ergomar, Cafergot, Ergostat, Ercaf, Wigraine or Migranal nasal spray. These drugs can react with clarithromycin and cause potentially life-threatening heartbeat irregularities. Medications other than these may interact with clarithromycin, so make sure to give your doctor a complete list. It also is important to make sure your doctor knows about your medical history. Your doctor might need to adjust your dosage if you have now or ever have had porphyria, liver or kidney disease, myasthenia gravis or if you or anyone in your family has had long QT syndrome. Diarrhea can be seriously worsened by this drug. The risk of taking clarithromycin while pregnant or breastfeeding is not known, so alert your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant while taking this drug.
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Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered
People who are allergic to medications in the macrolides class should not take clarithromycin. Macrolides include: erythromycin, azithromycin, telithromycin, dirithromycin and troleandomycin. In addition, people who are taking pimozide and ergot drugs, such as Ergomar, Cafergot, Ergostat, Ercaf, Wigraine, or Migranal nasal spray, should not take clarithromycin. These drugs can react with clarithromycin and cause potentially life-threatening heartbeat irregularities. You should not take clarithromycin if you have a heart condition or the water and mineral content in your body is out of balance. You also may want to avoid this drug if you have a blood, kidney, stomach or liver disease.
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Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered
Like other antibiotics, clarithromycin can cause diarrhea as a side effect. You should avoid taking anything, including over-the-counter medications, to treat the diarrhea, unless your doctor directs you to do so. Call your doctor if the diarrhea is persistent, severe or contains blood. You also should avoid taking clarithromycin if you are taking Orap or any ergot medications, as these may cause life-threatening heart rhythm disorders. Your doctor should change the clarithromycin or the other medications.
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Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answeredYou should take clarithromycin exactly as directed by your doctor. Typically, this will be twice per day for seven to 14 days. Other instructions depend on the form in which it was prescribed. Clarithromycin comes in three forms: an oral suspension (liquid form), an immediate-release tablet and an extended-release tablet. If you have the suspension, make sure you shake the bottle well before each dose. If you have the tablet, take it with plenty of water. If you have the long-acting tablet, take it with food and do not chew the tablet. Regardless of the form, make sure you continue treatment until the medicine is finished. If you do not finish the medicine, bacteria might remain in your body and could become resistant to antibiotics.
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Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answeredClarithromycin is used to treat a variety of infections of the skin and respiratory system that are caused by susceptible bacteria and mycobacteria. The infections most commonly treated with clarithromycin include: bronchitis, sinusitis, pneumonia (both legionella and mycoplasma), bacterial endocarditis (as a preventative), non-gonococcal urethritis, pharyngitis, otitis media and toxoplasmosis. Clarithromycin is also used to treat Mycobacterium avium complex, an opportunistic type of lung infection associated with HIV infection.
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Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answeredClarithromycin can include side effects, such as irregular heartbeat; swelling in the extremities; trouble swallowing; hoarseness; yellow tint of eyes or skin; blistering or splotchy skin; fever or other flu-like symptoms; fatigue; bleeding or bruising; stomach pain localized in the upper-right portion of your abdomen; blood in the stools; confusion or hallucination; changes in mood or emotion; increased depression; and decreased urination. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience an allergic reaction to the medication. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: itchiness; rash or blotchiness on the skin; hives; swelling of the face and throat. Tell your doctor about other, less severe side effects that persist. These can include: an unusual taste in the mouth; discomfort or pain in the stomach; nausea, vomiting, headaches, diarrhea or indigestion.
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Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answeredClarithromycin is intended for people with infections caused by susceptible bacteria. You should only take it if you are not allergic to drugs in the macrolides class, such as erythromycin, azithromycin, telithromycin or others. People who are otherwise healthy and are free of other pre-existing medical conditions, such as kidney or blood diseases, can take clarithromycin.