Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects .
Chemical Name: CLARITHROMYCIN (kla-RITH-roe-mye-sin)
This medicine is a macrolide antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections.
Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you are taking the following medications because very serious, possibly fatal, interactions may occur: cisapride, pimozide, astemizole, terfenadine, or ergotamine/dihydroergotamine. If you are currently using any of these medications, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting clarithromycin. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking colchicine, warfarin, live vaccines, theophylline, buspirone, carbamazepine, cyclosporine, digoxin, tacrolimus, benzodiazepines (such as alprazolam or midazolam), omeprazole, rifampin, ritonavir, zidovudine, certain medicines for high cholesterol (such as lovastatin, simvastatin, atorvastatin, or cerivastatin), sildenafil, alfentanil, rifabutin, methylprednisolone, cilostazol, bromocriptine, valproate, or tolterodine. Other drugs besides clarithromycin, which may affect the heart rhythm (QTc prolongation in the EKG), include dofetilide, disopyramide, quinidine, droperidol, sotalol, procainamide, and sparfloxacin among others. QTc prolongation can infrequently result in serious, rarely fatal, irregular heartbeats. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details. Ask for instructions about whether you need to stop any other QTc-prolonging drugs you may be using in order to minimize this effect. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions including, kidney problems, allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about taking this medicine.
Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. SWALLOW WHOLE. Do not crush or chew before swallowing. Take this medicine with food. STORE THIS MEDICINE at room temperature, away from heat and light. TO CLEAR UP YOUR INFECTION COMPLETELY, continue taking this medicine for the full course of treatment even if you feel better in a few days. Do not miss any doses. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, 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.
IF YOUR SYMPTOMS DO NOT IMPROVE within a few days or if they become worse, check with your doctor. Mild diarrhea is common with antibiotic use. However, a more serious form of diarrhea (pseudomembranous colitis) may rarely occur. This may develop while you use the antibiotic or within several months after you stop using it. 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. DO NOT TAKE SELDANE (terfenadine), HISMANAL (astemizole), or cisapride while you are taking this medicine without first discussing it with your doctor. USE OF THIS MEDICINE DURING PREGNANCY may result in fetal harm. This medicine is not recommended for use during pregnancy except when no other antibiotics can be used. IF YOU PLAN ON BECOMING PREGNANT, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy. IT IS UNKNOWN IF THIS DRUG IS EXCRETED in breast milk. IF YOU ARE OR WILL BE BREAST-FEEDING while you are using this medicine, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking this medicine include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, bad taste in mouth, indigestion, stomach pain or discomfort, or headache. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you experience emotional or mood changes, confusion, hallucinations, depression, nightmares, or trouble sleeping. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience blood in your urine, or decrease or increase in urine output. An allergic reaction to this medicine is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, or trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your healthcare provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, and diarrhea.
DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS MEDICINE out of the reach of children and pets.
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