Macrolides

Recently Answered

• QWhat is Biaxin/Biaxin XL?

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  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  Biaxin (clarithromycin) is an antibiotic used to stop the growth of bacterial infections such as pneumonia, bronchitis, sinusitis, strep throat and otitis media (ear infection). It is also used to treat Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC), a type of lung infection common among people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and -- in combination with other drugs -- to eliminate Helicobactor pylori (H. pylori), a bacterium that causes ulcers. It is available in several prescription-only forms, including the following:
  

  • 250- and 500-milligram (mg) film-coated (Filmtab) tablets
  • 250- and 500-mg extended-release, film-coated (XL Filmtab) tablets
  • 125- and 250-mg per five milliliters (one teaspoon) oral suspensions (mixtures of drug granules or particles in water)

  Biaxin is also sometimes used to treat cryptosporidiosis, Lyme disease, Legionnaires' disease, cat scratch disease and pertussis (whooping cough).
• QWhat side effects does Azithromycin (Zithromax) cause?

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  A MediGuard answered

  Based on information from iGuard.org, a free medication monitoring service, 30% of patients experience side effects while taking Azithromycin (Zithromax). Some of the side effects reported by iGuard members include: Diarrhea, Abdominal Pain/Cramps, and Itch/Rash. Please follow up with your doctor or other healthcare provider if you are experiencing any symptoms that worsen or do not go away.
• QWhat is clarithromycin?

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  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  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.
  
  
• QWhat should I know about clarithromycin before taking it?

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  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  Before starting clarithromycin, it is very important that your doctor and pharmacist know about all of the medications you are taking. Clarithromycin belongs to a class of antibiotics called macrolides. If you are allergic to other medications in this class, such as erythromycin, you should not take clarithromycin. It can also affect medical conditions other than what it was prescribed to treat. For this reason, make sure you tell your doctor if you have other medical conditions, including liver, kidney, blood or stomach problems. If you have diarrhea, its severity might increase to dangerous levels while taking this drug. You should also tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, are pregnant or are planning a pregnancy.
  
  
• QWhat are the side effects of clarithromycin?

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  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  Clarithromycin 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.
  
  
• QAre there any risks in taking clarithromycin?

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  A 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.

• QWho should take clarithromycin?

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  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  Clarithromycin 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.
  
  
• QWho should not take clarithromycin?

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  A 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.