Clarithromycin Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Clarithromycin Tablet is a macrolide antibiotic that fights bacteria in the body by stopping their growth or killing them. It is used to treat many types of bacterial infections, including throat, sinus, chest, and skin infections, as well as stomach ulcers caused by H. pylori and Mycobacterium avium complex infection. It will not work against colds, flu, or other viral infections.

What is Clarithromycin Tablet

Clarithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic that fights bacteria in your body. It stops the growth of certain bacteria or kills them. It will not work for colds, flu, or other virus infections.

Clarithromycin Tablet uses

• Treats many types of bacterial infections affecting the skin and respiratory system
• Treats throat and sinus infections
• Treats chest infections, such as bronchitis and pneumonia
• Treats skin and soft-tissue infections
• Treats stomach (gastric or duodenal) ulcers caused by Helicobacter pylori, in combination with other medicines
• Prevents and treats Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection

Benefits of Clarithromycin Tablet

• Fights bacteria that cause many different types of infections
• Can be combined with other medicines to treat stomach ulcers caused by H. pylori

How Clarithromycin Tablet works

Clarithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic. It works by killing bacteria or stopping their growth. It does not work against viruses.

Clarithromycin Tablet dosage

Take this medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor and follow all directions on your prescription label. You may take the regular tablets and oral suspension with or without food. Extended-release tablets should be taken with food. Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release tablet; swallow it whole. With extended-release tablets, part of the tablet may pass into your stools, which is normal.

Shake the oral liquid well just before you measure a dose, and measure it with a marked measuring spoon, syringe, or cup. Take a glass of water with the medicine. If you are taking clarithromycin and zidovudine, take these medicines at least 2 hours apart.

Keep using this medicine for the full prescribed length of time, even if you feel better, or the infection may not clear up. Do not suddenly stop using this medicine without first discussing it with your doctor, or symptoms may return. Do not share this medicine with another person, even if they have the same symptoms.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablet
• Extended-release tablet
• Powder for oral suspension (liquid)

Side effects of Clarithromycin Tablet

Common

• Stomach pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Unusual or unpleasant taste in your mouth (metallic or bitter taste)
• Headache
• Sleeplessness
• Indigestion or digestive disorders
• Rash
• Sweating

Serious

• Signs of an allergic reaction such as hives, difficult breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, mouth, or throat
• Severe skin reaction with fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, or a red or purple rash that blisters and peels
• Severe stomach pain and watery or bloody diarrhea
• Fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in the chest, shortness of breath, and sudden dizziness
• Confusion or a spinning sensation
• Liver problems such as loss of appetite, upper stomach pain, tiredness, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or yellowing of the skin or eyes
• Kidney problems such as little or no urination, swelling in the feet or ankles, or feeling tired or short of breath
• Chest pain spreading to the jaw or shoulder, trouble breathing, slurred speech, or sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body
• Inflammation of the pancreas causing severe pain in the abdomen and back

Warnings and precautions

• Take clarithromycin for the full prescribed length of time. Symptoms may improve before the infection is fully cleared, and skipping doses may raise your risk of an infection that resists antibiotics. 
• It will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.
• Do not use this medicine if you are allergic to clarithromycin or similar antibiotics, if you have ever had jaundice or liver problems from this medicine, or if you have liver or kidney disease and also take colchicine.
• Many drugs can interact with clarithromycin and some should not be used together. 
• Tell your doctor about all medicines you take or start or stop, including prescription, over-the-counter, vitamins, and herbal products.
• If you have ever had heart problems, clarithromycin may cause a heart attack or stroke years after you have taken it. 
• Older adults may be more likely to have heart rhythm side effects, including a life-threatening fast heart rate.
• Antibiotics can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. 
• Do not take anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to, as it may make it worse.
• This medicine is not approved for use by anyone younger than 6 months old.
• Clarithromycin may harm an unborn baby. 
• Use effective birth control while taking this medicine and tell your doctor if you become pregnant. In animal studies, it caused birth defects. Ask your doctor about your risk.
• Clarithromycin can pass into breast milk and may cause side effects in the nursing baby. 
• Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding.
• Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease. 
• It should not be taken with colchicine if you have liver or kidney disease. In severe kidney failure your doctor will lower the dose.
• You should not use this medicine if you have ever had jaundice or liver problems caused by taking clarithromycin. Tell your doctor if you have liver disease.
• This medicine generally does not affect the ability to drive or use machines but may cause dizziness, confusion, disorientation, or blurred vision. 
• If you feel affected, do not drive or do anything that could be dangerous until you know how it affects you.

Storage

• Store in the original container at room temperature, away from moisture, heat, and light.
• Keep from freezing.
• Do not keep the oral liquid in a refrigerator or freeze it; throw away any unused mixed liquid after 14 days.
• Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
• Do not throw away medicines via wastewater or household waste; ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines you no longer use.

When to see a doctor

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction such as hives, difficult breathing, swelling of the face or throat, or a severe skin reaction with fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, or a rash that blisters and peels.

Seek medical attention right away if you have chest pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, trouble breathing, slurred speech, or sudden numbness or weakness on one side of your body.

Contact your doctor right away if you have any changes to your heart rhythm, such as feeling dizzy or faint, or a fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat.

If you take too much, contact your doctor or hospital as soon as possible or call your local poison control center. Overdose symptoms may include severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Alternatives

• Biaxin
• Biaxin XL
• Azithromycin
• Erythromycin
• Amoxicillin
• Doxycycline
• Cefuroxime