Clarithromycin is a drug used to treat bacterial infections in various parts of the body, such as the respiratory tract, skin, ears, throat and tonsils. This medicine should only be used with a doctor's prescription.
Clarithromycin belongs to the group of macrolide antibiotics. This drug works by stopping the growth and killing the bacteria that cause infection. Please note, clarithromycin cannot be used to treat viral infections, such as flu and colds.
Clarithromycin is also used to treat peptic ulcers caused by Helicobacter pylori infection . This treatment must be combined with several other antibiotics and acid-lowering drugs.
Trademarks of clarithromycin: Abbotic, Abbotic XL, Bicrolid 250, Clavics, Clarithromycin, Clarolid 500, Comtro, Clapharma, Hecovac 500, Klarid, Orixal
What is Clarithromycin
| class | Prescription drugs |
| Category | Macrolide antibiotics |
| Benefit | Treating bacterial infections |
| Consumed by | Adults and children |
| Clarithromycin for pregnant and lactating women |
Category C: Animal studies have shown adverse effects on the fetus, but there are no controlled studies in pregnant women.
Drugs should only be used if the expected benefit outweighs the risk to the fetus. Clarithromycin can be absorbed into breast milk. If you are breastfeeding, do not use this medication without telling your doctor. |
| Form | Tablets, slow-release tablets, caplets and dry syrup |
Precautions Before Taking Clarithromycin
Clarithromycin can only be used according to a doctor's prescription. Before taking clarithromycin, you need to pay attention to the following things:
- Do not use the drug if you are allergic to clarithromycin and other macrolide antibiotics, such as azithromycin and erythromycin.
- Tell your doctor if you have or have had liver disease, kidney disease, diabetes, myasthenia gravis , porphyria, electrolyte disturbances , (such as hypomagnesemia or hypokalemia), diarrhea, jaundice , or impaired bile flow.
- Tell your doctor if you have or are currently suffering from heart disease, such as coronary heart disease , heart attack, heart failure , abnormalities in the ECG results , or heart rhythm disturbances ( arrhythmias ).
- Tell your doctor if anyone in your family has had sudden cardiac arrest at a young age.
- Tell your doctor that you are taking clarithromycin before getting vaccinated with a live bacterial vaccine, such as the BCG vaccine .
- Consult your doctor about using clarithromycin in the elderly, because the risk of side effects in the elderly is greater, especially hearing loss and arrhythmias.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning a pregnancy.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking other medications, including supplements and herbal products, to anticipate drug interactions.
- Tell your doctor about using clarithromycin if you are having surgery, including dental surgery.
- See your doctor immediately if you have an allergic drug reaction, serious side effect, or overdose after taking clarithromycin.
Dosage and Rules for Use Clarithromycin
The dose of clarithromycin is different for each patient. The following are general doses of clarithromycin based on the patient's condition:
Condition: Acute bronchitis
Mature
-
Tablets, caplets, or dry syrup
250–500 mg twice daily for 7–14 days. -
Slow-release tablets
1,000 mg once daily for 7 days.
Children aged ≥6 months
-
Tablets, caplets, or dry syrup
7.5 mg/kg, 2 times a day for 10 days. The maximum dose should not exceed 500 mg per dose.
Condition: Sinusitis
Mature
-
Tablets, caplets, or dry syrup
500 mg, 2 times daily for 14 days. -
Slow-release tablet
1,000 mg, once daily for 14 days.
Children aged ≥6 months
-
Tablets, caplets, or dry syrup
7.5 mg/kg, 2 times a day for 10 days.
Condition: Sore throat ( pharyngitis ) or tonsillitis ( tonsillitis )
Mature
-
Tablets, caplets, or dry syrup
250 mg twice daily for 10 days.
Children aged ≥6 months
-
Tablets, caplets, or dry syrup
7.5 mg/kg, 2 times a day for 10 days. Maximum dose: 250 mg.
Condition: Pneumonia
Mature
-
Tablets, caplets, or dry syrup
250 mg twice daily for 7–14 days. Dosage may be increased to 500 mg twice daily in case of severe infection. -
Slow-release tablets
1,000 mg once daily for 7 days.
Children aged ≥3 months
-
Tablets, caplets, or dry syrup
7.5 mg/kg, 2 times a day for 10 days. Dosage should not exceed 500 mg per dose.
Condition: Skin and skin tissue infection
Mature
-
Tablets, caplets, or dry syrup
250 mg twice daily for 7–14 days.
Children aged ≥6 months
-
Tablets, caplets, or dry syrup
7.5 mg/kg, 2 times a day for 10 days. Dosage should not exceed 250 mg per dose.
Condition: Treatment and prevention of whooping cough (pertussis)
Mature
-
Tablets, caplets, or dry syrup
500 mg twice daily for 7 days.
Children aged 1 month–>6 months
-
Tablets, caplets, or dry syrup
7.5 mg/kg, 2 times a day for 7 days. Maximum dose 500 mg per dose
Condition: Stomach ulcer caused by H. p ylori bacteria
Mature
-
Tablets, caplets, or dry syrup
500 mg 2–3 times daily for 7–14 days. Treatment can be given as a combination of 2 or 3 drugs, for example in combination with amoxicillin, metronidazole, proton pump inhibitors or H2 antagonists .
How to Take Clarithromycin Correctly
Follow your doctor 's advice and read the instructions on the medicine package before taking clarithromycin. Do not reduce or increase your dose without consulting your doctor first.
Clarithromycin tablets, caplets, or dry syrup can be taken before or after meals. To avoid discomfort in the stomach, it is best to take this medicine with meals or after meals.
Clarithromycin slow-release tablets should be taken with food. Swallow the tablet whole with the help of a glass of water. Do not crush, split, or chew the tablet.
If you are prescribed clarithromycin dry syrup, mix the powder with water to the amount indicated in the instructions for use. Shake the bottle before taking the medicine. Use the spoon or measuring cup contained in the package for the right dose.
Clarithromycin is usually taken for 7–14 days. Continue to take treatment as directed by the doctor even though the symptoms have improved. Do not stop using clarithromycin before the time prescribed by your doctor, because it can cause the infection to recur and be more difficult to treat.
If your symptoms do not improve even after the antibiotics are finished, consult your doctor immediately.
Store clarithromycin in a cool, dry place, protected from direct sunlight, and keep the drug out of reach of children.
Clarithromycin Interactions with Other Drugs
The following are some interactions that may occur if clarithromycin is used in combination with other medicines:
- Increased risk of arrhythmias or sudden cardiac arrest when used with pimozide , cisapride, domperidone , quinidine, or terfenadine
- Increased risk of developing symptoms of ergotism (ergot poisoning), such as nausea, vomiting, muscle aches, or numbness, if used with ergotamine or dihydroergotamine
- Increased risk of side effects of midazolam when used concomitantly
- Increased risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis when used with statin cholesterol-lowering drugs, such as lovastatin
- Increased levels of colchicine in the blood thereby increasing the risk of serious side effects
- Increased risk of side effects from ranolazine, digoxin , ciclosporin, alprazolam , omeprazole, tacrolimus , methylprednisolone, sildenafil , and queitiine
- Decreased effectiveness of ticagrelor in preventing blockage of blood vessels
- Increased risk of hypoglycemia when used with insulin or sulfonylurea antidiabetic drugs , such as glibenclamide
- Decreased effectiveness of live bacterial vaccines, such as BCG vaccine or typhoid vaccine
- Increased risk of bleeding when used with warfarin
- Decreased effectiveness of clarithromycin when used with rifampicin , efavirenz, ritonavir, nevirapine , rifapentine, phenytoin , or carbamazepine
- Increased risk of clarithromycin side effects when used with fluconazole
- Decreased effectiveness of zidovudine to treat HIV infection
- Increased risk of hypotension if used with calcium antagonists , such as verapamil, amlodipine , or diltiazem
Clarithromycin Side Effects and Dangers
Side effects that may arise after taking clarithromycin are:
- Stomach ache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Disturbance in the sense of taste or changes in taste
- Headache
Call your doctor if these side effects don't get better or if they get worse. Immediately see a doctor if you experience an allergic drug reaction or more serious side effects, such as:
- Hearing disorders
- Mood swings
- Weak muscles
- Blurred vision
- Difficult to speak
- Dizziness so severe that you feel like fainting
- Irregular heartbeat or chest pain
- dazed
- vertigo
- Severe stomach pain or bloody diarrhea
- Liver disorders , which are characterized by dark urine, upper abdominal pain, fatigue, jaundice, or clay-like stools
- Kidney disorder, which is characterized by difficulty urinating, swelling of the feet or legs, shortness of breath