About clarithromycin
Macrolide antibiotic
Used for
- Treats certain bacterial infections, including ear, sinus, throat, lung, and skin infections.
- Used with other medicines to treat Helicobacter pylori stomach infection.
Usual adult dose
Usually 250–500 mg by mouth every 12 hours for 7–14 days; H. pylori dosing varies by regimen.
Usual dose in children
Usually 7.5 mg/kg by mouth every 12 hours, up to 500 mg per dose, for 5–10 days; depends on infection.
Common side effects
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal pain
- Altered taste
- Headache
- Liver problems or abnormal heart rhythm, rarely
Important warnings
- Not effective against viral infections such as colds or flu.
- May prolong the QT interval and cause serious abnormal heart rhythms.
- Seek urgent care for severe allergic reaction, severe diarrhea, or yellowing skin or eyes.
- Dose adjustments may be needed with kidney impairment.
Pregnancy
Use only when clearly needed; discuss benefits and risks with a healthcare professional.
Breastfeeding
Passes into breast milk; may cause infant diarrhea or thrush. Discuss suitability with a healthcare professional.
Interactions
- Major interactions include simvastatin, lovastatin, colchicine, and some ergot medicines.
- Can interact with warfarin, certain heart-rhythm medicines, and some seizure medicines.
- May increase levels of medicines including digoxin and some calcium-channel blockers.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.