Clarithromycin

Conditions Treated

Clarithromycin is used to treat certain infections caused by bacteria, such as pneumonia (a lung infection), bronchitis (infection of the tubes leading to the lungs), and infections of the ears, sinuses, skin, and throat. It also is used to treat and prevent disseminated Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection [a type of lung infection that often affects people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)]. It is used in combination with other medications to eliminate H. pylori, a bacteria that causes ulcers. Clarithromycin is in a class of medications called macrolide antibiotics. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria. Antibiotics will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections.

Possible Side Effects

What Side Effects Can This Cause?

Clarithromycin may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• diarrhea
• nausea
• heartburn
• abnormal taste
• stomach pain
• headache

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• rash
• hives
• itching
• swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• hoarseness
• blisters or red splotches on skin
• fever
• yellowing of the skin or eyes
• unusual bruising or bleeding
• pain in the upper right part of the stomach
• lack of energy
• flu-like symptoms
• fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat

Clarithromycin may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

Usage Instructions

How Should This Medication Be Used

Clarithromycin comes as a tablet, an extended-release (long-acting) tablet, and a suspension (liquid) to take by mouth. The regular tablet and liquid are usually taken with or without food every 12 hours (twice a day) for 7-14 days. The long-acting tablet is usually taken with food every 24 hours (once a day) for 7-14 days. Take clarithromycin at around the same time(s) every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take clarithromycin exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Shake the liquid well before each use to mix the medication evenly. The tablets should be taken with a full glass of water. Swallow the long-acting tablets whole; do not split, chew, or crush them. Take clarithromycin until you finish the prescription, even if you feel better. If you stop taking clarithromycin too soon, your infection may not be completely treated and the bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics.

What Dietary Instructions Should I Follow

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

Are There Any Special Instructions

Before taking clarithromycin, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to clarithromycin, azithromycin (Zithromax), dirithromycin (Dynabac) (not available in the U.S.), erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Erythrocin), telithromycin (Ketek), or any other medications tell your doctor if you are taking astemizole (Hismanal) (not available in the U.S.), cisapride (Propulsid), dihydroergotamine (DHE 45, Migranal), ergotamine (Ergomar, in Cafergot, in Migergot), pimozide (Orap), or terfenadine (Seldane) (not available in the U.S.). Your doctor may tell you not to take clarithromycin if you are taking one or more of these medications. tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin); alfentanil (Alfenta); alprazolam (Xanax); bromocriptine (Parlodel); carbamazepine (Tegretol); cholesterol-lowering medications such as lovastatin (Mevacor) and simvastatin (Zocor); cilostazol (Pletal); colchicine; cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune); darifenacin (Enablex); digoxin (Lanoxin); erlotinib (Tarceva); eszopiclone (Lunesta); fluconazole (Diflucan); certain medications for HIV such as nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir), and ziodvudine (AZT, Retrovir); certain medications for irregular heartbeat such as disopyramide (Norpace) and quinidine; methylprednisolone (Medrol), midazolam (Versed); omeprazole (Prilosec); phenytoin (Dilantin); ranitidine (Zantac); rifabutin (Mycobutin); rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane); sildenafil (Viagra), tacrolimus (Prograf); theophylline (Theo-Dur); triazolam (Halcion); valproate (Depacon) and valproic acid (Depakote). Many other medications may also interact with clarithromycin, so tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, even those that do not appear on this list. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney or liver disease .