Dr. Ogbru received his Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy in 1995. He completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency at the University of Arizona/University Medical Center in 1996. He was a Professor of Pharmacy Practice and a Regional Clerkship Coordinator for the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy from 1996-99.
Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Clarithromycin is a semi-synthetic macrolide antibiotic chemically related to erythromycin and azithromycin (Zithromax).
It is effective against a wide variety of bacteria, such as Haemophilus
influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Staphylococcus
aureus, and mycobacterium avium, and many others. Like all macrolide
antibiotics, clarithromycin prevents bacteria from growing by interfering with
their ability to make proteins. Due to the differences in the way proteins are
made in bacteria and humans, the macrolide antibiotics do not interfere with
production of proteins in humans. The FDA approved clarithromycin in October
1991.
PRESCRIPTION: Yes
GENERIC AVAILABLE: Yes
PREPARATIONS: Tablets (immediate or extended release): 250 and 500 mg.
Suspension: 125 or 250 mg per 5 ml (teaspoonful).
STORAGE: Tablets and suspension should be stored at room temperature
15 -30 C (59-86 F) in a tightly closed container. The oral suspension should not
be refrigerated after mixing and should be used within 14 days.
PRESCRIBED FOR: Clarithromycin is effective against susceptible
bacteria causing infections of the middle ear, tonsillitis,
throat infections,
laryngitis,
bronchitis, pneumonia, and skin infections. It also is used in
treating infections caused by mycobacterium avium, a bacterium closely related
to the bacterium that causes tuberculosis. Clarithromycin has been used in
combination with omeprazole/sodium bicarbonate (Prilosec) in
treating H. Pylori that causes stomach ulcers.
DOSING: Clarithromycin may be taken with or without food. For most
infections the recommended adult dose is 250-500 mg of immediate release tablets
twice daily or 1000 mg of extended release tablets once daily for 7-14 days.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Clarithromycin interacts with several drugs because
it reduces the activity of liver enzymes that breakdown many drugs. This leads
to increased blood levels and side effects from the affected drugs. Examples of
such interactions include
Pneumonia is inflammation of one or both lungs with consolidation. Pneumonia is frequently but not always due to infection. The infection may be bacterial, viral, fungal or parasitic. Symptoms may include fever, chills, cough with sputum production, chest pain, and shortness of breath.
Strep throat is a sore throat caused by a bacterium called streptococcus (strep) that can be treated through antibiotics. Common symptoms of strep throat include pinkeye, runny nose, skin rash, cough, hoarseness, diarrhea and more. Complications of untreated strep throat include middle ear infections, meningitis, pneumonia, rheumatic fever, and more.
Sinus infection (sinusitis) signs and symptoms include headache, fever, and facial tenderness, pressure, or pain. Treatments of sinus infections are generally with antibiotics and at times, home remedies.
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the cause of AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). HIV is a type of virus called a retrovirus, which infects humans when it comes in contact with a break in the skin or tissues such as those that line the vagina, anal area, mouth, or eyes.
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a bacterium that causes chronic inflammation (gastritis) of the inner lining of the stomach in humans. This bacteria also is the most common cause of ulcers worldwide.
Whooping cough (pertussis) is highly contagious respiratory infection that is caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis. There are an estimated 300,000 plus deaths annually from whooping cough (pertussis). Whopping cough commonly affects infants and young children, but can be prevented with immunization with the vaccine. First stage whooping cough symptoms are a runny nose, sneezing, low-grade fever, a mild cough with the cough gradually becoming more severe. After one to two weeks, the second stage of whooping cough begins.
Scarlet fever is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria group A Streptococcus. Symptoms and signs include a rash, sore throat, and fever. Antibiotics are used in the treatment of scarlet fever.
Mycobacterium marinum (M. marinum) is bacteria found in fresh and saltwater that can infect the skin through cuts or scrapes, causing granulomas to appear on the skin near the site of infection. This infection may be treated with a long course of oral antibiotics.
Legionellosis is an infection caused by the Legionella pneumophila bacterium. There are two forms of legionellosis: Pontiac fever and Legionnaires' disease, which is the more severe of the two infections. Symptoms of Pontiac fever include fever, headache, muscle aches, and chills. Symptoms of Legionnaires' disease include cough, chills, fever and sometimes muscle aches, headaches, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and severe pneumonia. While Pontiac fever resolves on its own, Legionnaires' disease must be treated with antibiotics.
External otitis or "swimmer's ear" is an infection of the skin covering the outer ear and ear canal. Acute external otitis is commonly a bacterial infection caused by streptococcus, staphylococcus, or pseudomonas types of bacteria. The swimmer's ear infection is usually caused by excessive water exposure. When water collects in the ear canal (frequently trapped by wax), the skin will become soggy and serve as an inviting culture media for bacteria. Cuts or abrasions in the lining of the ear canal (for example, from cotton swab injury) can also predispose to bacterial infection of the ear canal.
What are the symptoms of swimmer's ear?
The first symptom of infection is that the ear will feel full, and it may itch. Next, the ear canal will swell and ear drainage will follow. At this stage the ear will be very painful, especially with movement of the outside portion of the e...
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