Antibiotics » CLARITHROMYCIN (kla-RITH-roe-mye-sin)

Clarithromycin (Biaxin) is used to treat bacterial infections in many different parts of the body. It kills bacteria and prevents their growth.

The regular tablet and liquid are usually taken with or without food every 12 hours (twice a day) for 7–14 days. The long-acting tablet is usually taken with food every 24 hours (once a day) for 7–14 days. The tablets should be taken with a full glass of water. Swallow the long-acting tablets whole; do not split, chew, or crush them.

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
•difficulty breathing
•redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
•severe or watery diarrhea
•skin rash, itching
•swelling of tongue or throat
•vomiting
•yellow color of eyes, skin, or urine

Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
•astemizole
•birth control pills
•carbamazepine
•cisapride
•colchicine
•digoxin
•dofetilide
•doxercalciferol
•ergot alkaloid medicines, like ergotamine
•other antibiotics, like grepafloxacin or sparfloxacin
•paricalcitol
•pimozide
•ritonavir
•some 'statin' medicines for reducing cholesterol (examples: atorvastatin, lovastatin, simvastatin)
•terfenadine
•theophylline
•triazolam
•warfarin
•zidovudine
Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to clarithromycin.

Symptoms of overdose may include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.

If your symptoms do not improve within a few days or if they become worse, inform your doctor. Do not share Biaxin with others for whom it was not prescribed and do not use it medicine for other health conditions.

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take double dose.

Clarithromycin is an antibiotic used to treat certain infections caused by bacteria, such as pneumonia; bronchitis; and ear, lung, sinus, stomach, skin, and throat infections.

It also is used to prevent disseminated Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this medication for your condition.

You should store Biaxin at room temperature and away from heat and light. Keep it out of the reach of children. Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down. Do not store suspension in the refrigerator. Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

If you get severe or watery diarrhea, do not treat yourself. Call your prescriber or health care professional for advice.

If you are going to have surgery, tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking clarithromycin.

Tell your prescriber or health care professional if your symptoms do not improve in 2 to 3 days.