Clarithromycin
About Clarithromycin
Clarithromycin belongs to the group of medicines known as macrolide antibiotics used to treat infections caused by bacteria such as bronchitis, pneumonia, throat, sinus, skin and soft tissue infections. It is prescribed for treating severe infections or when oral therapy is ineffective. A bacterial infection is a condition in which bacteria grow in the body and cause infection. It can target any body part and multiply very quickly.
Clarithromycin contains 'Clarithromycin', which works by killing the bacteria that cause the infection by preventing the synthesis of essential proteins necessary for the survival of the bacteria. Thereby, it effectively treats bacterial infections.
Clarithromycin will be administered by a healthcare professional; do not self-administer. You may experience injection site phlebitis (redness, swelling, and pain), headache, nausea (feeling sick) or vomiting (being sick), stomach cramps or tummy pain, and diarrhoea. Most of these side effects of Clarithromycin do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. Please consult your doctor if these side effects become troublesome.
Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, suspect you are pregnant, plan to have a baby or if you are breastfeeding; your doctor will prescribe Clarithromycin only if the benefits outweigh the risk. Let your doctor know if you have/had liver problems; your doctor may need to monitor your liver function. Clarithromycin may cause dizziness, confusion, and loss of balance. If you experience these, you should not drive or operate machinery. Let your doctor know about your medical condition and the medications you are taking to avoid any interactions.
Uses of Clarithromycin
Medicinal Benefits
Clarithromycin belongs to the group of medicines known as macrolide antibiotics used to treat infections caused by bacteria such as lower respiratory tract infections (acute and chronic bronchitis and pneumonia), upper respiratory tract infections (sinusitis and pharyngitis), and skin & soft tissue infections [folliculitis (inflammation of hair follicles), erysipelas (large raised red patches on the skin), cellulitis (bacterial skin infection)]. Clarithromycin works by preventing the production of proteins required by the bacteria for its survival. Thereby killing the bacteria and treating infections. Clarithromycin is prescribed for treating severe infections or when oral therapy is ineffective.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Clarithromycin
- Inflammation, pain or tenderness at the site of injection
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Increased sweating
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhoea
- Headache
Drug Warnings
Do not take Clarithromycin if you are allergic or hypersensitive to clarithromycin, any of the ingredients in Clarithromycin, any other macrolide antibiotic, or ketolide (macrolide derivatives). Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Inform your doctor if you have/had hypokalemia (abnormally low levels of potassium in the blood), hypomagnesemia (abnormally low levels of magnesium in the blood), severe kidney or liver problems, heart rhythm disorders, heart problems, or are prone to fungal infections (e.g. thrush).
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Clarithromycin interacts with certain medicines used to treat migraine (ergotamine, dihydroergotamine), antihistamines (terfenadine, astemizole), medications used to treat stomach disorders (cisapride or domperidone), antipsychotic drug (pimozide), statins or medicines used to lower levels of cholesterol (lovastatin, simvastatin, lomitapide, atorvastatin), certain sedative medications (midazolam), GOUT medications (colchicine), medicines used to treat heart attack, chest pain or angina (ticagrelor or ranolazine), medicines used to treat anxiety and panic disorder (alprazolam), and medications used to treat asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (budesonide/formoterol)
Drug-Food Interactions: No relevant interactions found.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have liver problems, renal dysfunction, heart rhythm disorder (arrhythmia) or QT prolongation, electrolyte imbalance (low potassium or magnesium level), and muscle problems (myasthenia gravis).
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionIt is advisable to avoid or limit alcohol intake.
Pregnancy
cautionPlease consult your doctor if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy.
Breast Feeding
cautionIt is not known if Clarithromycin passes into breastmilk. Please consult your doctor.
Driving
cautionClarithromycin may cause dizziness, confusion, and loss of balance. Therefore avoid driving or operating machinery if you experience any of these symptoms.
Liver
cautionCaution is advised. If you have/had liver problems, your doctor may need to monitor your liver function or discontinue treatment.
Kidney
cautionConsult your doctor if you have kidney problems, as your doctor may need to adjust the dose.
Children
cautionClarithromycin is not recommended for children as safety and effectiveness have not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Take probiotics after completing the full course of Clarithromycin to restore healthy bacteria in the intestine that may have been killed due to the use of antibiotics. Taking probiotics after antibiotic treatment can reduce the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea. Certain fermented foods like yoghurt, cheese, sauerkraut and kimchi can help restore the intestine's good bacteria.
- Include more fibre-enriched food in your diet, as it can be easily digested by gut bacteria which helps stimulate their growth. Whole grains like whole-grain bread, and brown rice, should be included in the diet.
- Avoid intake of alcoholic beverages with Clarithromycin as it can make you dehydrated and affect your sleep. This can make it harder for your body to aid Clarithromycin in fighting off infections.
Special Advise
- Clarithromycin might affect blood and liver tests. Inform the person doing the tests that you are taking Clarithromycin.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Bacterial infection: A bacterial infection is a condition in which harmful bacteria enter, multiply, and infect the body. It can target any body part and multiply very quickly. When you get infected with bacteria, you can experience generalized symptoms like fever, chills, and fatigue. Anyone can become infected with a bacterial infection. But, people with a weak immune system or taking immunosuppressive medicines are more prone to bacterial infection.
FAQs
Clarithromycin belongs to the group of medicines known as macrolide antibiotics used to treat infections caused by bacteria such as bronchitis, pneumonia, throat, sinus, skin and soft tissue infections.
Clarithromycin kills the harmful bacteria by preventing the production of proteins required by the bacteria for its survival.
Using Clarithromycin together with statins (medicines used to lower cholesterol levels) is not advisable. Please notify your doctor if you must take these medications. Your doctor may advise you to maintain a time gap between these two medications.
Clarithromycin can cause Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea (CDAD). If you have diarrhoea that is watery or bloody, inform your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhoea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.
You should avoid taking Clarithromycin if you have liver or kidney dysfunction, heart rhythm disorder (arrhythmia) or QT prolongation, electrolyte imbalance (low potassium or magnesium level), or muscle problems (myasthenia gravis). Inform your doctor if you have these conditions before taking Clarithromycin.
Clarithromycin should not be taken with any ergot derivates such as ergotamine or dihydroergotamine used to treat migraine. Consult your doctor if you have any concerns.
Prolonged use of Clarithromycin can result in a yeast infection or oral thrush. Look out for symptoms like white patches in the mouth or changes in vaginal discharge.
