Clarithromycin

Clarithromycin is a medicine that treats a wide variety of bacterial infections.

Can I buy Clarithromycin online?

The Online Clinic can prescribe Clarithromycin so long as it is appropriate to do so. Please complete one of the consultation forms to begin.

What is Clarithromycin?

Clarithromycin is one of the macrolide antibiotics, and is used to treat bacterial infections. These include infections such as of the chest (e.g., bronchitis, pneumonia), sinuses (i.e., sinusitis), throat (e.g., pharyngitis, tonsillitis), skin, and soft tissues, and due to Helicobacter pylori that is associated with duodenal ulcers.

Clarithromycin acts by binding to specific components within bacteria, which prevents protein synthesis and thus bacterial growth.

How to use Clarithromycin

Clarithromycin is usually taken as a tablet but an intravenous formulation is available for people with severe infections or who cannot swallow the tablets. In all cases, your doctor will tell you what preparation is best for you and how to take it. The tablets are swallowed with water. Generally, one 250mg tablet is taken twice daily (morning and night) for 6–14 days, although you may have to use a higher dose (500 mg) if your infection is severe. Treatment of Helicobacter pylori differs in that Clarithromycin tablets are used in combination with other medicines. For injections (which are prepared and given to you by a doctor), the medicine is a powder that is dissolved in sterile water before being administered into a vein over at least 1 hour. The dose is usually 0.5 g given twice a day for 2–5 days, after which you will be switched to tablets. The entire treatment course is no longer than 14 days. It is very important to finish the treatment course because the infection could come back.

If you take too many tablets, then get medical advice quickly. Take a forgotten tablet as soon as you can, unless you are near to the time of the next dose when you should just continue as instructed. Your doctor is unlikely to administer too much or too little medicine in the injection.

Who can use Clarithromycin?

Clarithromycin is prescribed to adults and to children aged 12 years and older. The effects on a baby are not known if Clarithromycin is used before or during pregnancy, or when breastfeeding; therefore, if applicable, women are advised to discuss these circumstances with their doctor before accepting treatment. Clarithromycin does not lower the protection afforded by oral contraceptives against pregnancy. Clarithromycin cannot be taken by people who are allergic to macrolide antibiotics, or have abnormal heart rhythm (e.g., atrial fibrillation), decreased blood potassium levels, liver and kidney disorders, or who frequently have fungal infections such as thrush.

While you should tell your doctor about all the medicines that you take, be particularly sure that you mention those used to treat migraine (e.g., ergotamine), allergy treatments (e.g., terfenadine, astemizole), stomach disorders (e.g., cisapride), high blood cholesterol levels (e.g., statins), and mental health conditions (e.g., pimozide, St John's wort). Attention must also be paid to various different medicines used for bacterial (e.g., aminoglycosides) and HIV (e.g., ritonavir, nevirapine) infections, heart and blood conditions (e.g., digoxin, warfarin, verapamil, cilostazol), epilepsy (e.g., carbamazepine), sedation (e.g., midazolam), breathing problems (e.g., theophylline), immune system modulators (e.g., methylprednisolone, tacrolimus, colchicine), indigestion and gastric ulcers (e.g., omeprazole), diabetes (e.g., insulin, pioglitazone), impotence (e.g., sildenafil), and overactive bladder (e.g., tolterodine).

Clarithromycin side effects

If any of the following signs and symptoms occur while using Clarithromycin then report them immediately to a medical professional: signs of an allergic response, rash, irritation and severe skin reactions (Stevens-Johnson syndrome, Henoch-Schonlein purpura), breathing difficulties, jaundice, changes in stool/urine colour, fever, and abdominal tenderness.

The most common side effects are headache, sleep difficulties, stomach upsets (e.g., nausea, vomiting, pain, indigestion, diarrhoea), changes in sense of smell/taste, changes in liver function, skin rash, and an increase in sweating. Injection sites may become painful and the blood vessels inflamed. Occasionally, some people experience fungal infection (thrush), other digestive problems (e.g., appetite loss, constipation, flatulence), dry mouth, mouth/tongue inflammation, tongue/teeth discolouration, anxiety, dizziness, sleepiness, tiredness, hearing problems, changes in concentrations of blood cells/constituents, and joint or muscle pain. Acne, purple spots, inflammation of the pancreas or kidneys, change in kidney function, confusion, hallucinations, depression, seizures, tingling feelings, and decreases in blood sugar concentration have been reported rarely. What must be remembered is that the vast majority of people suffer no side effects whatsoever.

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