Clarithromycin is an antibiotic medication developed by the U.S. Food And Drug Administration. It was initially approved on October 26, 1991, for treating respiratory tract infections.

Clarithromycin helps to treat various bacterial infections, including skin infections, respiratory tract infections, and certain types of stomach ulcers caused by a bacteria called H. pylori, which is related to peptic ulcer disease.

Clarithromycin will be administered to you by a healthcare professional in a hospital setting. It is usually administered as an intravenous injection into a vein. Your physician will decide the dose, route of administration, and frequency based on your disease condition and other factors.

The side effects known to occur commonly during the treatment with Clarithromycin are Injection site reactions (pain, tenderness), increased sweating, alterations in the sense of taste, sleeping troubles, widening of blood vessels, headache, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and diarrhea.

Suppose you have a history of jaundice or liver problems that occurred while taking Clarithromycin or other macrolide antibiotics in the past. In that case, informing your healthcare provider about this medical history is important. Individuals who have previously experienced those conditions may have an increased risk of developing further liver problems or experiencing a recurrence of jaundice if exposed to the drug again. Your doctor will consider this information when prescribing medications and may recommend alternative antibiotics less likely to cause liver problems or choose a different approach to manage your condition.

This drug can increase the chance of side effects that affect the heart, particularly by prolonging the QT interval. Prolongation of the QT interval leads to a serious heart rhythm abnormality called torsades de pointes. Before taking Clarithromycin, it is important to be aware of the side effects and discuss them with your healthcare provider. It is advised to avoid using the drug if you are mainly allergic to it or its ingredients.

It is necessary to complete the full dose regimen of Clarithromycin as prescribed, even if you start feeling better before the treatment ends. Stopping the medication can lead to incomplete eradication of the infection, allowing the bacteria to become even more resistant. Talk to your physician if you develop any symptoms that worsen, or it does not improve after taking this drug. They may need to reassess your condition and adjust your treatment if necessary. This medicine is prescribed specifically for your condition, and it is highly advised not to share it with others, even if they have related symptoms.

1. Ibrigen S.r.l, Electronic medicines compendium (EMC), [ Revised on Nov 2021] [ Accessed on 30th May 2023],  https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.8825.pdf
2. Package leaflet: Information for the user - Clarithromycin. www.hpra.ie. [Revised on July 2022], Available at: https://www.hpra.ie/img/uploaded/swedocuments/4869e2cd-19c1-41cf-887d-d8632748caab.pdf (Accessed on 30th May 2023).
3. Goodman & Gilman’s, The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, Protein synthesis inhibitors and miscellaneous antibacterial agents, 12th edition, 2011, 1529 -1534.
4. KD Tripathi, Essentials of Medical Pharmacology, Macrolide and other antibacterial antibiotics, 7th edition, 2013, 754.

The drug information on this page is not a substitute for medical advice; it is meant for educational purposes only. For further details, consult your doctor about your medical condition to know if you are eligible to receive this treatment.