Clarithromycin

Expert Advice

Dosage Forms Available

• Clarithromycin can be taken orally (tablet, capsule and suspension) and intravenously (injection).

Age And Dose Restrictions

• It is intended for both adults and children above 12 years of age with appropriate doses.

Contraindications 

• It is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to Clarithromycin or other macrolide antibiotics such as erythromycin or azithromycin and in patients with a history of cholestatic jaundice/liver dysfunction associated with prior use of clarithromycin.

Medications To Avoid With This Drug

• These medications are contraindicated with clarithromycin: medicines used for the management of gastroesophageal reflux disease (cisapride), schizophrenia (pimozide), allergies (astemizole and terfenadine), and migraine (ergotamine or dihydroergotamine).
• Avoid taking antiarrhythmics (digoxin), antihypertensives (verapamil, amlodipine, diltiazem), anticoagulants (warfarin), heart medications (ticagrelor, ivabradine , ranolazine, atorvastatin, rosuvastatin), antidiabetics (gliclazide, glimepiride, nateglinide, pioglitazone, repaglinide), bronchodilators (theophylline), immunosuppressants (ciclosporin, sirolimus and tacrolimus), corticosteroids (methylprednisolone), anti-gout medicine ( colchicine), other antibiotics (lincomycin and clindamycin), medicines used for the management of erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation (sildenafil, vardenafil and tadalafil). These medications may alter the safety and effectiveness of Clarithromycin.

Overdose And Missed Dose

• Overdose can cause vomiting and stomach pain. These symptoms need to be managed as an emergency in a hospital setting. Therefore, strict adherence to the prescribed dose is essential.
• If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as you remember. But, if the next dose is near, skip the missed dose and resume the regular dosing regime.

Management Of Side Effects

• If side effects worsen or persist, consult your doctor for a possible treatment plan adjustment.

Use In Driving And Operating Machinery

• Use of this medication may cause drowsiness or dizziness. If you experience impaired coordination, avoid driving, operating machinery, and doing anything else that calls for alertness. 

Use In Pregnancy And Lactation

• This medicine should not be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding except if recommended by your doctor.

Caution In Other Conditions

• Caution is advised in patients with heart problems, fungal infections and kidney and liver impairment. 
• Special Dietary And Lifestyle Recommendation
• Do not take St John’s Wort (a herbal product used to treat depression) with this medicine.
• Take the recommended dosage of Clarithromycin as your doctor guides. Even if you begin to feel better, do not miss doses or discontinue therapy too soon, which might lead to antibiotic resistance and infection recurrence.
• To restore gut bacteria, take foods high in probiotics. It may assist in reestablishing balance in the gut flora, which can be disrupted by antibiotic therapy and result in digestive problems.

Frequently asked questions

Terms & Conditions