Generic Name: Clarithromycin Tablets (kla-RITH-roe-mye-sin)
Brand Name: Biaxin Filmtab
Clarithromycin is used for:
Treating infections caused by certain bacteria.
Clarithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic. It works by stopping
the growth of or killing sensitive bacteria by reducing the
production of important proteins needed by the bacteria to
survive.
Do NOT use Clarithromycin if:
you are allergic to any ingredient in Clarithromycin
or any other macrolide (eg, erythromycin)
you are taking cisapride, cyclosporine, dofetilide, eletriptan, ergot
alkaloids (eg, ergotamine, dihydroergotamine), H1 antagonists (eg, terfenadine,
astemizole),
pimozide, QT-prolonging agents (eg, quinidine, sotalol, thioridazine), quinolones
(eg, ciprofloxacin), or sumatriptan.
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply
to you.
Before using Clarithromycin :
Some medical conditions may interact with Clarithromycin . Tell your doctor
or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the
following apply to you:
if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation,
or dietary supplement
if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
if you have diarrhea, a stomach infection, a blood disorder, severe kidney
problems, or liver problems Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Clarithromycin . Tell your health care
provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
Rifampin because it may decrease Clarithromycin 's effectiveness
Dofetilide, macrolides and ketolides (eg, erythromycin, azithromycin), pimozide,
QT-prolonging agents (eg, quinidine, sotalol, thioridazine), quinolones (eg,
ciprofloxacin), or streptogramins (eg, mikamycin) because serious, possibly
life-threatening side effects on the heart or irregular heartbeat may occur
Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), aldosterone blockers (eg, spironolactone),
benzodiazepines (eg, alprazolam), buspirone, carbamazepine, cilostazol, cisapride,
colchicine, corticosteroids (eg, hydrocortisone), cyclosporine, digoxin, disopyramide,
eletriptan, ergot alkaloids (eg, ergotamine, dihydroergotamine), H1 antagonists
(eg, terfenadine, astemizole), HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (eg, simvastatin),
imatinib, macrolide immunosuppressants (eg, tacrolimus), macrolides and ketolides
(eg, erythromycin, azithromycin), phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitors (eg,
sildenafil), rifampin, sumatriptan, theophyllines, or verapamil because the
actions and side effects of these medicines may be increased This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask
your health care provider if Clarithromycin may interact with other medicines
that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop,
or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Clarithromycin :
Use Clarithromycin as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine
for exact dosing instructions.
Take Clarithromycin by mouth with or without food.
Clarithromycin works best if it is taken at the same time each day.
Continue to take Clarithromycin even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.
Do not miss any doses. If you miss a dose of Clarithromycin , take it as
soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed
dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once. Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use
Clarithromycin .
Important safety information:
Contact your doctor right away if stomach pain or cramps, severe diarrhea,
or bloody stools occur. Do not treat diarrhea without first checking with
your doctor.
Clarithromycin only works against bacteria; it does not treat viral infections
(eg, the common cold).
Long-term or repeated use of Clarithromycin may cause a second infection.
Tell your doctor if signs of a second infection occur. Your medicine may need
to be changed to treat this.
Be sure to use Clarithromycin for the full course of treatment. If you do
not, the medicine may not clear up your infection completely. The bacteria
could also become less sensitive to this or other medicines. This could make
the infection harder to treat in the future.
Lab tests, including complete blood counts, may be performed while you use
Clarithromycin . These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check
for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
Clarithromycin should not be used in CHILDREN younger than 6 months old;
safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: This medicine has been shown to cause harm
to the fetus. Clarithromycin is not recommended for use during pregnancy except
when no other antibiotics can be used. If you think you may be pregnant, contact
your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Clarithromycin
while you are pregnant. It is not known if Clarithromycin is found in breast
milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Clarithromycin , check
with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby. Possible side effects of Clarithromycin :
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor,
side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects
persist or become bothersome:
Abnormal taste; diarrhea; headache; indigestion; nausea; stomach discomfort;
vomiting.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing;
tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bloody
stools; confusion; decreased urination; depression; emotional or mood changes;
hallucinations; nightmares; severe diarrhea; severe stomach pain/cramps;
trouble sleeping.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have
questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor
or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088
(1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers),
your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or
emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include diarrhea; nausea; stomach
pain; vomiting.
Proper storage of Clarithromycin :
Store Clarithromycin at room temperature between 68 and 77 degrees F (20
and 25 degrees C) in a well-closed container. Store away from light, heat,
and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Clarithromycin out of the
reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
If you have any questions about Clarithromycin , please talk with your
doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
Clarithromycin is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed.
Do not share it with other people.
If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your
doctor. This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information
about Clarithromycin . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking
or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other
health care provider. |
