General Information and Indications:
Clarithromycin is used to treat certain
infections caused by bacteria, such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and infections
of the ears, lungs, sinuses, skin, and throat. It also is used to prevent
disseminated Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection in patients with
human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It is used in combination with other
drugs to eliminate H. pylori.
Information For Users:
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. To help
you remember to take clarithromycin, take it around the same time every day.
Follow the directions on your prescription label, ask your doctor or
pharmacist If you have any questions. Take clarithromycin exactly as
directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than
prescribed by your health care provider.
Shake the liquid well before each use to mix the medication evenly.
The tablets must 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. Stopping clarithromycin too soon may cause bacteria to become
resistant to antibiotics.
Other uses for this medicine
Clarithromycin also is used sometimes to treat Lyme disease and
toxoplasmosis. It is also used sometimes to prevent heart infection in
patients having dental or other procedures. Talk to your doctor about the
possible risks of using this medication for your condition.
Special
precautions:
o Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have
allergy to clarithromycin, azithromycin (Zithromax), dirithromycin (Dynabac),
erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Erythrocin), or any other medications.
o do not take clarithromycin if you are taking cisapride (Propulsid),
pimozide (Orap), or terfenadine (Seldane).
o Inform your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and
nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal
products you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the following:
anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin); alfentanil (Alfenta);
astemizole (Hismanal); bromocriptine (Parlodel); carbamazepine (Tegretol);
cholesterol-lowering medications such as lovastatin (Mevacor) and
simvastatin (Zocor); cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune); digoxin (Lanoxin);
dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal); disopyramide (Norpace); ergotamine
(Ergomar); fluconazole (Diflucan); nelfinavir (Viracept); omeprazole (Prilosec);
phenytoin (Dilantin); rifabutin (Mycobutin); ritonavir (Norvir); tacrolimus
(Prograf); theophylline (Theo-Dur); triazolam (Halcion); valproic acid (Depakene,
Depakote); and zidovudine (AZT, Retrovir). Your doctor may need to change
the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
o inform your doctor if you are breast-feeding kidney or liver disease or
irregular heartbeat.
o Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are
breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking clarithromycin, call
your doctor without delay. Clarithromycin may harm the fetus.
Possible Adverse
Effects:
Clarithromycin may cause adverse effects.
Inform your doctor if any of the following symptoms are severe or do not go
away:
o diarrhea
o upset stomach
o abnormal taste
o stomach pain
o headache
Some adverse effects could be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon,
but if you experience any of them, call your doctor without delay:
o severe skin rash
o hives (Urticaria)
o itching
o difficulty swallowing or breathing
o swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or
lower legs
o hoarseness
o yellowing of the skin or eyes, jaundice
o rapid, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
Brand Name(s):
o Biaxin® Filmtab®
o Biaxin® Granules
o Biaxin® XL Filmtab
o Biaxin® XL Pac |
