CLARITHROMYCIN

Brand & Generic Names

Biaxin

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? No
• Drug class: Antibacterial (macrolide)

Uses

Treats infections including bronchitis, pharyngitis, pneumonia, sinusitis, skin infections and Legionnaire's disease.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Tablets--Swallow with liquid. If you can't swallow whole, crumble tablet and take with liquid or food.

When to take:
At the same time each day.

If you forget a dose:
If you take 3 or more doses daily--take as soon as you remember, then resume regular schedule.
If you take 2 doses daily--Take as soon as you remember. Wait 5 to 6 hours for next dose. Return to regular schedule.

What drug does:
Prevents growth and reproduction of susceptible bacteria.

Time lapse before drug works:
Usually wihin 2 hours. Will take 2 to 5 days for noticeable effect.

Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea.

WHAT TO DO:

Overdose unlikely to threaten life. If person takes much larger amount than prescribed, call doctor, poison-control center or hospital emergency room for instructions.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

None expected.

Common:

Headache

Infrequent:

Abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, nausea.

Rare:

None expected.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:
You are allergic to clarithromycin or erythromycins*.

Before you start, consult your doctor:
If you have significant kidney disease.

Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons.

Pregnancy:
Safety not established. Decide with your doctor whether drug benefits justify risk to unborn child.

Breast-feeding:
Drug passes into milk. Avoid drug or discontinue nursing until you finish medicine. Consult doctor for advice on maintaining milk supply.

Infants & children:
Use only under medical supervision.

Prolonged use:

• You may become more susceptible to infections caused by germs that are not responsive to clarithromycin.
• Talk to your doctor about the need for follow-up medical examinations or laboratory studies to check liver function.

Skin & sunlight:
No special problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
No special problems expected.

Discontinuing:
Take drug for the full amount of time prescribed by doctor.

Others:
No problems expected.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
-------------------------	-----------------------
Theophylline	Increased concentration of
	theophylline.
Zidovudine	Decreased effect of zidovudine.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	Possible liver damage.
Caffeine drinks	Increased caffeine toxicity.
	Avoid.
Cocaine:	No proven problems.
Foods:	No proven problems.
Marijuana:	No proven problems.
Tobacco:	No proven problems.