Medicines/Generics/Clarithromycin

Clarithromycin

Generic medicine reference

Not yet clinically reviewed

This entry was migrated from the earlier Pharmapedia app bundle and has not been reviewed by a named clinician on this site. It is provided for educational reference only — verify dosage and safety information against current, authoritative sources and a qualified healthcare professional before any clinical use.

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Overview

Clarithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic that 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 .

Indications

Contraindications

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to clarithromycin or similar medicines such as azithromycin ( Zithromax , Z-Pak, Zmax ), erythromycin , or telithromycin, or if: you have had jaundice or liver problems caused by taking clarithromycin; or you have liver or kidney disease and you also take a medicine called colchicine. Some medicines can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used with clarithromycin. Your doctor may need to change your treatment plan if you use any of the following drugs: cisapride; pimozide ; lomitapide lovastatin or simvastatin ; or ergotamine or dihydroergotamine . To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had: heart problems; long QT syndrome (in you or a family member); coronary artery disease (clogged arteries); myasthenia gravis ; liver disease ; kidney disease; diabetes; or an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood). Clarithromycin may harm an unborn baby. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are using this medicine. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant. In animal studies, clarithromycin caused birth defects. However, it is not known whether these effects would occur in humans. Ask your doctor about your risk. Clarithromycin can pass into breast milk and may cause side effects in the nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. This medicine is not approved for use by anyone younger than 6 months old.

Side Effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to clarithromycin: ( hives , difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction ( fever , sore throat , burning in your eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling). Call your doctor at once if you have: severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody; fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, shortness of breath, and sudden dizziness (like you might pass out); confusion, spinning sensation; liver problems - loss of appetite, upper stomach pain, tiredness, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or kidney problems - little or no urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, feeling tired or short of breath. If you've ever had heart problems, clarithromycin may cause a heart attack or stroke years after you've taken this medicine. Seek medical attention right away if you have chest pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, trouble breathing, slurred speech, or sudden numbness or weakness on one side of your body. Older adults may be more likely to have heart rhythm side effects, including a life-threatening fast heart rate . Common clarithromycin side effects may include: stomach pain, nausea, vomiting; diarrhea; or unusual or unpleasant taste in your mouth. 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.

Warnings

Take clarithromycin for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses may also increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to antibiotics. This medicine will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu. You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to clarithromycin or similar antibiotics , if you have ever had jaundice or liver problems caused by taking this medicine, or if you have liver or kidney disease and are also taking colchicine . Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using. Many drugs can interact with clarithromycin, and some drugs should not be used together.

High Risk Groups

Adult Dosage

250 to 500 mg (380 (375)) 12 hourly PO — For 7-14 days. clarithromycin should be taken without food 500 to 0 mg (250 (250)) 12 hourly IV — IV inj should be administer over 60 minutes for 2-5days Scraped Dose — Take clarithromycin exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Do not use this medicine to treat any condition that has not been checked by your doctor. Do not share this medicine with another person , even if they have the same symptoms you have. You may take the regular tablets and oral suspension (liquid) 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 it whole. Shake the oral liquid well just before you measure a dose. Measure liquid medicine with the dosing syringe provided, or with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one. Clarithromycin is usually given for 7 to 14 days. Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time, even if your symptoms quickly improve. Skipping doses can increase your risk of infection that is resistant to medication. Clarithromycin will not treat a viral infection such as the flu or a common cold. Store this medicine in the original container at room temperature, away from moisture, heat, and light. Do not keep the oral liquid in a refrigerator. Throw away any liquid that has not been used within 14 days. If your infection is treated with a combination of drugs, use all medications as directed by your doctor. Read the instructions provided with each medication. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without your doctor's advice.

Child Dosage

7.5 mg/kg (7.5 (7.5)) 12 hourly Oral — -

Neonatal Dosage

7.5 mg/kg (7.5 (7.5)) 12 hourly Oral — -

Drug Interactions

When you start or stop taking clarithromycin, your doctor may need to adjust the doses of any other medicines you take on a regular basis. Clarithromycin can cause a serious heart problem, especially if you use certain medicines at the same time, such as antibiotics, antifungal medicine, antidepressants , anti- malaria medicine, asthma inhalers, antipsychotic medicine, cancer medicine, certain HIV/AIDS medicine, heart or blood pressure medicine, or medicine to prevent vomiting. Many drugs can interact with clarithromycin, and some drugs should not be used together. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here.

Storage

Oral Susp (reconstituted) Store at room temperature. Refrigeration and Freezing is not recommended. Protect from Sunlight. Use within 14 days if kept at room temperature. Tab Store in a well closed container, Below 40°C. Protect from Sunlight and Moisture.

Available Brands in Pakistan

Showing the first 200 of 211 active brands alphabetically. Use Medicine Search to browse further.

Clarithromycin

Available Brands in Pakistan

A-CLARO

AFOXIN

AKRIC

AKRIC-125MG

AKRIC-250

AKRIC-250MG

AKRIC-500

ALERCID

AMICLAR

APRO SUSPENSION

APTICLAR

ARITHRO

ARKET

ASHCLO

AWACLOR

BERICIN

BIOCLAR

BV-CLAR

CALARIDE

CALPHACIN

CANTER

CARICIN

CINCLAR

CITHROMARK

CLACIN

CLAFAX

CLAMAC

CLAMONT

CLAMYCIN

CLAMYCIN

CLANTONE

CLARA

CLARABAC

CLARACIN

CLARACT

CLARAMED

CLARAMED

CLARAZE

CLARETA

CLAREVO

CLARIADVAN

CLARIBEST

CLARICIN

CLARIFAAS

CLARIFEN

CLARIGEN

CLARILIDE

CLARIMOR

CLARINAC

CLARINOM

CLARION

CLARION XR

CLARIQUEN

CLARIQUEN SUSPENSION

CLARIREX

CLARISCOT

CLARISET

CLARISH

CLARISTA

CLARITAB

CLARITEK

CLARITEK XL

CLARITH

CLARITHRO

CLARITHROMYCIN

CLARITHROMYCIN

CLARITHRO-SR

CLARITHRO XL

CLARITON

CLARITUS

CLARIVEL

CLARIWEB

CLARIWIN

CLARIWITT

CLARIZA

CLARIZA XL

CLAROCIN

CLAROLID