Clarithromycin Oral Tablet

• Liver problems warning: This drug may cause liver problems. Tell your doctor if you have symptoms of liver problems. These include dark-colored urine, itchiness, upper stomach pain, loss of appetite, or yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.
• QT prolongation warning: Clarithromycin may cause the heart rhythm problem QT prolongation. This condition may cause fast, chaotic heartbeats.
• Diarrhea warning: Almost all antibiotics, including clarithromycin, can cause Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea. This disease may range from causing mild diarrhea to severe inflammation of your colon. This can be fatal (cause death). Call your doctor if you have diarrhea during or after treatment with this drug.
• Long-term mortality warning: For 1 to 10 years after taking this drug, people with coronary artery disease may be at increased risk of death for any reason. The benefits of this drug should be weighed against this risk.

Clarithromycin oral tablet is a prescription drug that’s available as the brand-name drug Biaxin. It’s also available as a generic drug. Generic drugs usually cost less. In some cases, they may not be available in every strength or form as the brand-name version.

Clarithromycin oral tablet comes in an immediate-release release form and an extended-release form. Clarithromycin also comes as an oral suspension.

Why it's used

Clarithromycin is used to prevent and treat certain infections caused by bacteria.

Clarithromycin may be used with other drugs (ethambutol, rifampin, amoxicillin, lansoprazole, omeprazole, or bismuth) to treat stomach ulcers or mycobacterial infections.

How it works

Clarithromycin belongs to a class of drugs called antibiotics (macrolides). A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions.

Clarithromycin works by stopping the bacteria that are causing an infection from multiplying.

This drug should only be used to treat or prevent bacterial infections. It shouldn’t be used to treat viruses such as the common cold.

This dosage information is for clarithromycin oral tablet. All possible dosages and drug forms may not be included here. Your dosage, drug form, and how often you take the drug will depend on:

• your age
• the condition being treated
• how severe your condition is
• other medical conditions you have
• how you react to the first dose

Forms and strengths

Brand: Biaxin

• Form: oral immediate-release tablet
• Strengths: 250 mg and 500 mg

Generic: Clarithromycin

• Form: oral immediate-release tablet
• Strengths: 250 mg, 500 mg

• Form: oral extended-release tablet
• Strengths: 500 mg

Dosage for acute sinusitis

Adult dosage (ages 18 years and older)

• Oral tablet: 500 mg taken every 12 hours for 14 days
• Extended-release oral tablet: 1,000 mg taken every 24 hours for 14 days

Child dosage (ages 6 months–17 years)

The recommended daily dosage is 15 mg/kg/day. It should be given in two daily doses, one every 12 hours, for 10 days (up to the adult dose).

Child dosage (ages 0–5 months)

It hasn’t been confirmed that this drug is safe and effective for use in people younger than 6 months.

Special considerations

People with kidney problems: If your creatinine clearance (a marker of kidney function) is less than 30 mL/min, your doctor will give you one half the standard dose.

Dosage for acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis

Adult dosage (ages 18 years and older)

• Oral tablet: 250 or 500 mg taken every 12 hours for 7–14 days depending upon the type of bacteria causing the infection
• Extended-release oral tablet: 1,000 mg taken every 24 hours for 7 days

Child dosage (ages 0–17 years)

This drug hasn't been shown to be safe and effective for people younger than 18 years for this condition.

Special considerations

People with kidney problems: If your creatinine clearance (a marker of kidney function) is less than 30 mL/min, your doctor will give you one half the standard dose.

Dosage for community-acquired pneumonia

Adult dosage (ages 18 years and older)

• Oral tablet: 250 mg taken every 12 hours for 7–14 days depending upon the type of bacteria causing the infection
• Extended-release oral tablet: 1,000 mg taken every 24 hours for 7 days

Child dosage (ages 6 months–17 years)

The recommended daily dosage is 15 mg/kg/day. It should be given in two daily doses, one every 12 hours, for 10 days (up to the adult dose).

Child dosage (ages 0–5 months)

It hasn’t been confirmed that this drug is safe and effective for use in people younger than 6 months.

Special considerations

People with kidney problems: If your creatinine clearance (a marker of kidney function) is less than 30 mL/min, your doctor will give you one half the standard dose.

Dosage for uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections

Adult dosage (ages 18 years and older)

Oral tablet: 250 mg taken every 12 hours for 7–14 days

Child dosage (ages 6 months–17 years)

The recommended daily dosage is 15 mg/kg/day. It should be given in two daily doses, one every 12 hours, for 10 days (up to the adult dose).

Child dosage (ages 0–5 months)

It hasn’t been confirmed that this drug is safe and effective for use in people younger than 6 months.

Special considerations

People with kidney problems: If your creatinine clearance (a marker of kidney function) is less than 30 mL/min, your doctor will give you one half the standard dose.

Dosage for the treatment and prevention of Mycobacterial infections

Adult dosage (ages 18 years and older)

Oral tablet: 500 mg taken twice per day

Child dosage (ages 6 months–17 years)

The recommended dosage is 7.5 mg/kg every 12 hours, up to 500 mg every 12 hours.

Child dosage (ages 0–5 months)

It hasn’t been confirmed that this drug is safe and effective for use in people younger than 6 months.

Special considerations

People with kidney problems: If your creatinine clearance (a marker of kidney function) is less than 30 mL/min, your doctor will give you one half the standard dose.

Dosage for acute otitis media

Adult dosage (ages 18 years and older)

This drug isn't used in this age group for this condition.

Child dosage (ages 6 months–17 years)

The recommended daily dosage is 15 mg/kg/day. It should be given in two daily doses, one every 12 hours, for 10 days (up to the adult dose).

Child dosage (ages 0–5 months)

It hasn’t been confirmed that this drug is safe and effective for use in people younger than 6 months.

Special considerations

People with kidney problems: If your creatinine clearance (a marker of kidney function) is less than 30 mL/min, your doctor will give you one half the standard dose.

Dosage for helicobacter pylori infection and duodenal ulcer disease

Adult dosage (ages 18 years and older)

• Oral tablet: Your dose depends on what drugs you’re taking clarithromycin with.
• With amoxicillin and omeprazole or lansoprazole: 500 mg taken every 12 hours for 10– 14 days
• With omeprazole: 500 mg taken every 8 hours for 14 days

Child dosage (ages 0–17 years)

This drug hasn't been shown to be safe and effective for people younger than 18 years of age for this condition.

Special considerations

People with kidney problems: If your creatinine clearance (a marker of kidney function) is less than 30 mL/min, your doctor will give you one half the standard dose.

Dosage for pharyngitis or tonsillitis

Adult dosage (ages 18 years and older)

Oral tablet: 250 mg taken every 12 hours for 10 days

Child dosage (ages 6 months–17 years)

The recommended daily dosage is 15 mg/kg/day. It should be given in two daily doses, one every 12 hours, for 10 days (up to the adult dose).

Child dosage (ages 0–5 months)

It hasn’t been confirmed that this drug is safe and effective for use in people younger than 6 months.

Special considerations

People with kidney problems: If your creatinine clearance (a marker of kidney function) is less than 30 mL/min, your doctor will give you one half the standard dose.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this list includes all possible dosages. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always to speak with your doctor or pharmacist about dosages that are right for you.

Clarithromycin oral tablet is used for short-term treatment. It comes with risks if you don’t take it as prescribed.

If you stop taking the drug or don’t take it at all: If you don’t take this drug, your infection may not improve or it may get worse.

If you miss doses or don’t take the drug on schedule: Your medication may not work as well or may stop working completely. For this drug to work well, a certain amount needs to be in your body at all times.

If you take too much: You could have dangerous levels of the drug in your body. Symptoms can include:

• abdominal pain
• diarrhea
• nausea
• vomiting

If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor or local poison control center. If your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

What to do if you miss a dose: Take your dose as soon as you remember. But if you remember just a few hours before your next scheduled dose, take only one dose. Never try to catch up by taking two doses at once. This could result in dangerous side effects.

How to tell if the drug is working: Your symptoms of your infection and your infection should go away if this drug is working.

Keep these considerations in mind if your doctor prescribes clarithromycin oral tablet for you.

General

• You can take the immediate-release tablets with or without food. You should take the extended-release tablets with food.
• You can crush the extended-release tablets. You should not cut crush the immediate-release tablets. Swallow them whole.

Storage

• Store clarithromycin between 68°F and 77°F (20°C and 25°C).
• Don’t refrigerate any forms of this drug.
• Don’t store this medication in moist or damp areas, such as bathrooms.

Refills

A prescription for this medication is refillable. You should not need a new prescription for this medication to be refilled. Your doctor will write the number of refills authorized on your prescription.

Travel

When traveling with your medication:

• Always carry your medication with you. When flying, never put it into a checked bag. Keep it in your carry-on bag.
• Don’t worry about airport x-ray machines. They can’t hurt your medication.
• You may need to show airport staff the pharmacy label for your medication. Always carry the original prescription-labeled box with you.
• Don’t put this medication in your car’s glove compartment or leave it in the car. Be sure to avoid doing this when the weather is very hot or very cold.

Clinical monitoring

You and your doctor should monitor certain health issues. This can help make sure you stay safe while you take this drug. This monitoring may be done using:

• Liver function tests. Your doctor may do blood tests to check how well your liver is working. If your liver isn’t working well, your doctor may have you stop taking this drug.
• Kidney function tests. Your doctor may do blood tests to check how well your kidneys are working. If your kidneys aren’t working well, your doctor may give you a lower dose of the drug.
• White blood cell count. Your doctor may do blood tests to check how well your body and medication is fighting the infection. If your levels are not improving, your doctor may have you stop taking this drug and recommend another.