Brand name: Biaxin

Clarithromycin is used for:

Treating infections caused by certain bacteria.

Clarithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic. It works by stopping the growth of or killing sensitive bacteria by reducing the production of important proteins needed by the bacteria to survive.

Do NOT use Clarithromycin if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Clarithromycin or any other macrolide (eg, erythromycin)
• you are taking cisapride, cyclosporine, dofetilide, eletriptan, ergot alkaloids (eg, ergotamine, dihydroergotamine), H₁ antagonists (eg, terfenadine, astemizole), pimozide, QT-prolonging agents (eg, quinidine, sotalol, thioridazine), quinolones (eg, ciprofloxacin), or sumatriptan

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Clarithromycin :

Some medical conditions may interact with Clarithromycin. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have diarrhea, a stomach infection, a blood disorder, severe kidney problems, or liver problems

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Clarithromycin. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Rifampin because it may decrease Clarithromycin 's effectiveness
• Dofetilide, macrolides and ketolides (eg, erythromycin, azithromycin), pimozide, QT-prolonging agents (eg, quinidine, sotalol, thioridazine), quinolones (eg, ciprofloxacin), or streptogramins (eg, mikamycin) because serious, possibly life-threatening side effects on the heart or irregular heartbeat may occur
• Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), aldosterone blockers (eg, spironolactone), benzodiazepines (eg, alprazolam), buspirone, carbamazepine, cilostazol, cisapride, colchicine, corticosteroids (eg, hydrocortisone), cyclosporine, digoxin, disopyramide, eletriptan, ergot alkaloids (eg, ergotamine, dihydroergotamine), H₁ antagonists (eg, terfenadine, astemizole), HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (eg, simvastatin), imatinib, macrolide immunosuppressants (eg, tacrolimus), macrolides and ketolides (eg, erythromycin, azithromycin), phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitors (eg, sildenafil), rifampin, sumatriptan, theophyllines, or verapamil because the actions and side effects of these medicines may be increased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Clarithromycin may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Clarithromycin :

Use Clarithromycin as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Clarithromycin by mouth with or without food.
• Clarithromycin works best if it is taken at the same time each day.
• Continue to take Clarithromycin even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.
• Do not miss any doses. If you miss a dose of Clarithromycin , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Clarithromycin.

Important safety information:

• Contact your doctor right away if stomach pain or cramps, severe diarrhea, or bloody stools occur. Do not treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor.
• Clarithromycin only works against bacteria; it does not treat viral infections (eg, the common cold).
• Long-term or repeated use of Clarithromycin may cause a second infection. Tell your doctor if signs of a second infection occur. Your medicine may need to be changed to treat this.
• Be sure to use Clarithromycin for the full course of treatment. If you do not, the medicine may not clear up your infection completely. The bacteria could also become less sensitive to this or other medicines. This could make the infection harder to treat in the future.
• Lab tests, including complete blood counts, may be performed while you use Clarithromycin. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Clarithromycin should not be used in CHILDREN younger than 6 months old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: This medicine has been shown to cause harm to the fetus. Clarithromycin is not recommended for use during pregnancy except when no other antibiotics can be used. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Clarithromycin while you are pregnant. It is not known if Clarithromycin is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Clarithromycin , check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Clarithromycin :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Abnormal taste; diarrhea; headache; indigestion; nausea; stomach discomfort; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bloody stools; confusion; decreased urination; depression; emotional or mood changes; hallucinations; nightmares; severe diarrhea; severe stomach pain/cramps; trouble sleeping.