Clarithromycin, Clarithromycin ER
Clarithromycin (kla RITH roe mye sin) is a generic medication prescribed for certain infections caused by bacteria. Clarithromycin belongs to a group of drugs called macrolide antibiotics.
Clarithromycin (kla RITH roe mye sin) is a generic medication prescribed for certain infections caused by bacteria. Clarithromycin belongs to a group of drugs called macrolide antibiotics.
- Generic
- • Tablet
- • 500mg
- • 28 Tablets
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Intro
Introduction
Written by Sarah Lewis, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Rosanna Sutherby, PharmD
Updated on September 28, 2023
Clarithromycin (kla RITH roe mye sin) is a generic medication prescribed for certain infections caused by bacteria. Clarithromycin belongs to a group of drugs called macrolide antibiotics.
This article doesn’t provide coupons for all forms of clarithromycin. To find coupons for clarithromycin extended-release oral tablet, see this article.
Side effects
Side effects of clarithromycin
Clarithromycin may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of clarithromycin and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.
To learn more about clarithromycin’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for clarithromycin listed in the “Resources” section.
Mild side effects
More common mild side effects reported with some forms of clarithromycin are listed below.
This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about clarithromycin’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for clarithromycin listed in the “Resources” section.
With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.
Mild side effects of clarithromycin oral tablet and extended-release* oral tablet include:
- changes in taste
- diarrhea
- nausea or vomiting
- abdominal pain
- mild allergic reaction†
* “Extended release” means the drug is slowly released into your body over a long period of time.
† For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for clarithromycin” section.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects of clarithromycin are listed below.
This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about clarithromycin’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for clarithromycin listed in the “Resources” section.
With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.
In general, clarithromycin’s serious side effects include:
- Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea (watery or bloody diarrhea)
- liver problems, such as hepatitis or liver failure
- prolonged QT interval (changes in the heart’s electrical signals, which can lead to serious and life threatening heart rhythm problems)
- severe allergic reaction*
* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for clarithromycin” section.
Interactions and warnings
Interactions and warnings for clarithromycin
Below you’ll find information about clarithromycin’s possible interactions and warnings.
Interactions of clarithromycin
Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.
Before you take clarithromycin, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:
- prescription or over-the-counter drugs
- vitamins, herbs, or supplements
To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for clarithromycin” section below.
Warnings for clarithromycin
Some people should not take clarithromycin, and others should take it cautiously.
Clarithromycin could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether clarithromycin is a safe option for you.
Ask your doctor about specific warnings for clarithromycin, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:
- current health, including any allergies to medications
- past health conditions or surgeries
Allergic reaction
Clarithromycin can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.
If you’ve had an allergic reaction to clarithromycin or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe clarithromycin. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.
A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:
A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:
- severe skin rashes that may blister and peel
- swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
- swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems
If you have an allergic reaction to clarithromycin, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.
Overdose of clarithromycin
You should not take more clarithromycin than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.
If you think you’ve taken too much clarithromycin, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.
Pregnancy or breastfeeding and clarithromycin
Information about clarithromycin and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.
Clarithromycin and pregnancy
There are risks to taking clarithromycin during pregnancy. But there are also risks with having untreated bacterial infections while pregnant. (Keep in mind that clarithromycin is used for treating bacterial infections.)
If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about your bacterial infection treatment options during pregnancy. Together, you can discuss the risks and benefits of your treatment options and decide whether or not you should take clarithromycin during pregnancy.
Clarithromycin and breastfeeding
There are risks to taking clarithromycin while breastfeeding. But there are also risks with having untreated bacterial infections during this time. (Keep in mind that clarithromycin is used for treating bacterial infections.)
For instance, clarithromycin may cause diarrhea or loss of appetite in a child who is breastfed.
If you’re planning to breastfeed, talk with your doctor about bacterial infection treatment options. Together, you can discuss the risks and benefits of your treatment options and decide whether or not you should take clarithromycin during this time. Your doctor may recommend other healthy ways to feed your child.
Uses
Uses of clarithromycin
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as clarithromycin for certain conditions. Approved uses for clarithromycin are described below. These uses differ based on the form of clarithromycin prescribed.
Use for bacterial infections
Doctors may prescribe clarithromycin oral tablet and clarithromycin oral suspension to treat infections of the skin and respiratory tract, including:
- ear infections in children
- flare-ups of chronic (long-term) bronchitis caused by a lung infection in adults
- community-acquired pneumonia (pneumonia that develops outside of a hospital setting)
- sinus infections
- infections of the throat or tonsils, if certain other antibiotics aren’t suitable
Doctors may also prescribe clarithromycin oral tablet and oral suspension to treat or help prevent mycobacterial infection that spreads throughout the body by way of the bloodstream. This is a certain type of bacterial infection that usually affects people with a weakened immune system, such as people with advanced stages of HIV infection.
Doctors may prescribe clarithromycin extended-release* oral tablet for adults to treat certain infections of the respiratory tract, including:
- flare-ups of chronic (long-term) bronchitis caused by a lung infection
- sinus infections
- community-acquired pneumonia
The oral tablets and oral suspension are used for this purpose in children ages 6 months and older and adults. The extended-release oral tablets are used for this purpose in adults. It’s usually prescribed as a short-term treatment.
With bacterial infections, bacteria invade the body and start growing and reproducing. The result is an infection. The symptoms will depend on where the infection occurs.
Clarithromycin oral tablet and oral suspension may be prescribed together with other drugs to treat Helicobacter pylori (also called H. pylori) infection in adults. H. pylori is a type of bacteria that can infect your digestive tract and cause ulcers. Clarithromycin may be used with amoxicillin and lansoprazole, with amoxicillin and omeprazole, or with just omeprazole for this purpose.
Doctors only prescribe clarithromycin for the above infections if they’re caused by certain types of bacteria. Clarithromycin won’t work to treat infections caused by viruses, such as colds or flu. To identify the cause of an infection, your doctor may take a sample from the infected area and send it to a lab for identification. This helps your doctor prescribe the best treatment for the infection.
* “Extended release” means the drug is slowly released into your body over a long period of time.
FAQ
Common questions about clarithromycin
Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about clarithromycin.
Is clarithromycin similar to amoxicillin?
Yes, clarithromycin is similar to amoxicillin because they’re both antibiotics. They both treat infections caused by bacteria, and they have similar uses. But they belong to different classes (groups) of antibiotics. Clarithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic. Amoxicillin is a penicillin antibiotic. So they have different side effects and warnings.
You can learn more about how these two drugs compare by talking with your doctor or pharmacist.
How does clarithromycin work? And how long does it take to start working?
Clarithromycin works by killing bacteria and stopping them from growing. This helps your immune system clear the infection from your body.
Clarithromycin starts to work right after you take it. Once your body starts clearing the infection, your symptoms will start to go away. This can take a few days. It’s important to keep taking clarithromycin even after you start feeling better. Finishing the whole course of antibiotics will help prevent the infection from coming back. Infections that come back can be harder to treat.
If you’d like to know more about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Ask your doctor
What to ask your doctor
Let your doctor know if you have questions about clarithromycin or would like more details about it.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- How should I take clarithromycin?
- How can I help reduce the risk of side effects from clarithromycin?
- Do any of my other medications interact with clarithromycin?
- What’s the most important information I should know about clarithromycin?
Resources
Resources
- Clarithromycin extended-release tablets, for oral use. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/1d328f5d-73c1-4df7-a3df-71d0e0221181/spl-doc
- Clarithromycin for oral suspension, for oral use. (2019). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/22457862-0f88-4be8-b507-1c8f264269f2/spl-doc
- Clarithromycin tablets, for oral use. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/9aaffb41-408c-4372-8fd5-1d649450c0e9/spl-doc
- Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
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