What is clarithromycin?

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 other drugs will affect clarithromycin?

Before taking clarithromycin, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

• seizure medications such as phenytoin (Dilantin), Tegretol), carbamazepine (Carbatrol, and valproic acid (Depakote, Depakene).
• a sedative such as midazolam (Versed), alprazolam (Xanax), or triazolam (Halcion); or
• HIV medicines such as ritonavir (Norvir) or zidovudine (Retrovir);
• heart rhythm medicine such as or quinidine (Cardioquin, disopyramide (Norpace), Lanoxin), Lanoxicaps, digoxin (digitalis, Quinaglute);
• drugs that weaken your immune system, such as tacrolimus (Prograf), sirolimus (Rapamune), Gengraf), Sandimmune, cyclosporine (Neoral, or steroids;
• cholesterol-lowering medicines such as atorvastatin (Lipitor), fluvastatin (Lescol), pravastatin (Pravachol), simvastatin (Zocor), lovastatin (Mevacor), or cerivastatin (Baycol);
• theophylline (Respbid, Theo-Dur, Theoclear, Theochron, Uniphyl);
• sildenafil (Viagra);
• rifabutin (Mycobutin);
• ranitidine bismuth citrate (Tritec);
• fluconazole (Diflucan);
• omeprazole (Prilosec);
• bromocriptine (Parlodel);
• cilostazol (Pletal);

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, herbal products, minerals, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

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.

• 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, allergic reactions, drug interactions, warnings, precautions, directions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
• Remember, never share your medicines with others, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has additional information about clarithromycin written for health professionals that you may read.

Clarithromycin side effects

• problems with your hearing.
• fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash; or
• nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
• uneven heartbeats, chest pain, shortness of breath;

Less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:

• vaginal itching or discharge.
• skin rash; or
• dizziness, headache, anxiety, confusion;
• tooth discoloration;
• unusual or unpleasant taste in your mouth;
• mild stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, upset stomach;

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.