Clarithromycin

1 medicine

Clarithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic used for respiratory, skin and stomach infections. It blocks a liver enzyme that clears certain other drugs, so combining it with colchicine, some statins, ergot medicines or pimozide can raise those drugs to dangerous, sometimes fatal, levels.

Biaxin

Clarithromycin

250/500mg

Biaxin is a antibiotics medication containing Clarithromycin, available as 250/500mg tablets.

from $2.04 / tablet View

Key facts

  • Clarithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic that stops susceptible bacteria from multiplying so your immune system can clear the infection.
  • Courses usually run 7 to 14 days, taken with or without food, spaced evenly through the day.
  • It blocks the liver enzyme CYP3A4. Taking it with colchicine, certain statins (simvastatin, lovastatin), ergotamine or pimozide lets those drugs build up to toxic, sometimes fatal, levels. It can also prolong the heart's QT interval on its own.
  • Seek urgent care for a fast or irregular heartbeat, fainting, severe watery diarrhoea, or yellowing of the skin or eyes.

What clarithromycin treats

Clarithromycin treats respiratory infections such as sinusitis, bronchitis and community-acquired pneumonia, skin and soft-tissue infections, and stomach infections caused by Helicobacter pylori, usually as part of a combination regimen. It is also used alongside other drugs for certain nontuberculous mycobacterial infections.

How clarithromycin works

Clarithromycin attaches to the ribosome inside bacterial cells, the machinery they use to build proteins, and blocks it. Without new proteins the bacteria cannot multiply, which lets your immune defences clear the infection.

Before you take it

  • Do not take clarithromycin with colchicine if you have kidney or liver impairment, with ergotamine or dihydroergotamine, with pimozide, astemizole or cisapride, or with simvastatin or lovastatin. These combinations can be fatal.
  • Tell your prescriber about any heart rhythm problem, low potassium or magnesium, or other medicines that prolong the QT interval.
  • Use caution in pregnancy and if you have significant liver disease; discuss alternatives with your prescriber.
  • A known allergy to macrolide antibiotics rules this drug out.

Side effects

Common effects include an upset stomach, diarrhoea, nausea, a metallic taste, and headache.

Stop and seek urgent medical care for any of these:

  • A fast, irregular or pounding heartbeat, or fainting.
  • Persistent, watery diarrhoea, which can signal a severe gut infection.
  • Yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, or persistent abdominal pain.
  • Severe skin rash with blistering, or swelling of the face and throat.

Safety essentials

  • List every medicine you take before starting clarithromycin. Its interaction with colchicine, certain statins, ergot drugs and pimozide is dangerous and sometimes fatal, and it can also prolong your heart's own QT interval.
  • Finish the full course even once you feel better, so the infection clears completely and resistant bacteria are not left behind.
  • Get medical attention promptly for diarrhoea that becomes severe or bloody, since it can signal a serious bowel infection rather than ordinary antibiotic upset.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.