What
is Clarithromycin(Roxithromycin)?
Clarithromycin is in a group of drugs called macrolide antibiotics.
Clarithromycin 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.
Clarithromycin may also be used for purposes other than
those listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about
clarithromycin?
Do not use clarithromycin if you are also using any of the
drugs listed below. They can interact with clarithromycin
and cause life-threatening heart rhythm disorders:
astemizole (Hismanal);
cisapride (Propulsid);
ergot medicine such as ergotamine (Ergomar, Ergostat, Cafergot,
Ercaf, Wigraine), or dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal
Nasal Spray);
pimozide (Orap); or
terfenadine (Seldane).
Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed
by your doctor. Clarithromycin is usually given for 7 to
14 days (or longer when treating stomach ulcer). Your symptoms
may get better before the infection is completely treated.
Clarithromycin will not treat a viral infection such as the
common cold or flu.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before
taking clarithromycin?
Do not use this medication if you are alleric to clarithromycin
or to similar medicines such as azithromycin (Zithromax),
dirithromycin (Dynabac), erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Ery-Tab,
Erythrocin), roxithromycin (Rulid, Surlid), or telithromycin
(Ketek). Do not use clarithromycin if you are also using
any of the drugs listed below. They can interact with clarithromycin
and cause life-threatening heart rhythm disorders:
astemizole (Hismanal);
cisapride (Propulsid);
ergot medicine such as ergotamine (Ergomar, Ergostat, Cafergot,
Ercaf, Wigraine), or dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal
Nasal Spray);
pimozide (Orap); or
terfenadine (Seldane).
Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are
allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
liver disease;
kidney disease;
porphyria; or
a personal or family history of "Long QT syndrome."
If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able
to use clarithcomyin, or you may need a dosage adjustment
or special tests during treatment.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful
to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or
plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known
whether clarithromycin passes into breast milk or if it could
harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling
your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not give
this medicine to a child younger than 6 months of age.
How should I take clarithromycin?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you.
Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it
for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions
on your prescription label.
Take this medication with a full glass (8 ounces) of water.
Clarithromycin tablets and oral supension (liquid) can be
taken 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 the pill whole. It is specially made to release
medicine slowly in the body. Breaking the pill would cause
too much of the drug to be released at one time. Shake the
oral suspension well just before you measure a dose. To be
sure you get the correct dose, measure the liquid with a
marked measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular
table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device,
ask your pharmacist for one. Take this medication for the
entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Clarithromycin
is usually given for 7 to 14 days (or longer when treating
stomach ulcer). Your symptoms may get better before the infection
is completely treated. Clarithromycin will not treat a viral
infection such as the common cold or flu. Store this medication
at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not keep
the oral liquid in a refrigerator.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost
time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the
medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take
extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used
too much of this medicine.
Symptoms of a clarithromycin overdose may include nausea,
vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal discomfort.
What should I avoid while taking clarithromycin?
Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a
sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery
or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine
to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.
Clarithromycin side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs
of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling
of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor
at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
uneven heartbeats, chest pain, shortness of breath;
diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark
urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin
or eyes);
fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering,
peeling, and red skin rash; or
problems with your hearing.
Less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such
as:
mild stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, upset stomach;
unusual or unpleasant taste in your mouth;
tooth discoloration;
dizziness, headache, anxiety, confusion;
skin rash; or
vaginal itching or discharge.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur.
Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual
or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect clarithromycin?
Before taking clarithromycin, tell your doctor if you are
using any of the following drugs:
cilostazol (Pletal);
bromocriptine (Parlodel);
omeprazole (Prilosec);
fluconazole (Diflucan);
ranitidine bismuth citrate (Tritec);
rifabutin (Mycobutin);
sildenafil (Viagra);
theophylline (Respbid, Theo-Dur, Theoclear, Theochron,
Uniphyl);
cholesterol-lowering medicines such as lovastatin (Mevacor),
simvastatin (Zocor), pravastatin (Pravachol), fluvastatin
(Lescol), atorvastatin (Lipitor), or cerivastatin (Baycol);
drugs that weaken your immune system, such as cyclosporine
(Neoral, Sandimmune, Gengraf), sirolimus (Rapamune), tacrolimus
(Prograf), or steroids;
heart rhythm medicine such as digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxicaps,
Lanoxin), disopyramide (Norpace), or quinidine (Cardioquin,
Quinaglute);
HIV medicines such as ritonavir (Norvir) or zidovudine
(Retrovir);
a sedative such as alprazolam (Xanax), midazolam (Versed),
or triazolam (Halcion); or
seizure medications such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol),
phenytoin (Dilantin), and valproic acid (Depakote, Depakene).
If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able
to use clarithromycin, or you may need dosage adjustments
or special tests during treatment.
There may be other drugs not listed that can affect clarithromycin.
Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter
medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal
products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start
using a new medication without telling your doctor.
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist has additional information about clarithromycin
written for health professionals that you may read.
What does my medication look like? Clarithromycin is available with a prescription under the
brand name Biaxin. Other brand or generic formulations may
also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you
have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the
reach of children, never share your medicines with others,
and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner
Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee
is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive.
Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and
consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses
outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated
otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients
or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource
designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients
and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not
a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare
practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination
in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination
is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume
any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of
information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended
to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions,
allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs
you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
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