GENERIC NAME: clarithromycin
BRAND NAME: Biaxin
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Clarithromycin is a semi-
synthetic
macrolide antibiotic chemically related to erythromycin. It is
effective
against a wide variety of bacteria organisms, such as
Haemophilus
influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae,
Staphylococcus aureus, and mycobacterium avium, and many
others.
PRESCRIPTION: yes
GENERIC AVAILABLE: no
PREPARATIONS: Tablets: 250 mg, 500 mg. Suspension: 125
mg per 5
ml teaspoonful, 250 mg per 5 ml teaspoonful.
STORAGE: Tablets and suspension should be stored at room
temperature in a tightly closed container. The oral suspension
should not
be refrigerated.
PRESCRIBED FOR: Clarithromycin is effective against
susceptible bacteria causing infections of the middle ear, tonsillitis,
throat
infections, laryngitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, and skin
infections. It is
also used in treating infections caused by mycobacterium avium,
an
organism closely related to the bacteria that causes
tuberculosis.
Clarithromycin has been used in combination with
Prilosec in treating
H. Pylori bacteria that
causes stomach ulcers.
DOSING: May be taken with or without food.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Clarithromycin should be avoided by
patients
known to be allergic to clarithromycin or other chemically
similar
macrolide antibiotics, such as erythromycin.
Clarithromycin can significantly increase blood levels of the
active
metabolite of terfenadine
(Seldane)
when these two medications are co-administered. Erythromycin,
another
macrolide antibiotic structurally similar to clarithromycin,
has been
known to interact with astemizole
(Hismanal), loratadine (Claritin), bromocriptine, warfarin
(Coumadin), carbamazepine (Tegretol), cyclosporine, digoxin
(Lanoxin), disopyramide (Norpace), ergotamine,
lovastatin (Mevacor),
phenytoin (Dilantin),
theophylline,
triazolam (Halcion), and valproate to alter the blood levels of these
medicines.
Whether clarithromycin can interfere similarly with these
medications is
not clearly established. Treatment with clarithromycin and other
antibiotics can alter normal bacteria flora of the colon and
permit
overgrowth of C. difficile, a bacteria responsible for
pseudomembranous
colitis. Patients who develop pseudomembranous colitis as a
result of antibiotics treatment can experience diarrhea, abdominal pain,
fever, and
sometimes even shock. Safe use with children has not been
established. It
is not habit forming.
PREGNANCY: Safe use in pregnancy has not been
established.
SIDE EFFECTS: Clarithromycin is generally well
tolerated, side
effects are usually mild and transient. Commonly reported side
effects
include nausea, diarrhea, abnormal taste, dyspepsia, abdominal
pain and
headache.
Last Editorial Review: 12/31/1997
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
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