• Basic Info
• Top Questions
• Clinical Info
• Interactions

Before taking clarithromycin, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

• a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);

• omeprazole (Prilosec);

• fluconazole (Diflucan);

• ranitidine bismuth citrate (Tritec);

• sildenafil (Viagra);

• theophylline (Respbid, Theo-Dur, Theoclear, Theochron, Uniphyl);

• cholesterol-lowering medicines such as lovastatin (Mevacor), simvastatin (Zocor), pravastatin (Pravachol), fluvastatin (Lescol), or atorvastatin (Lipitor);

• drugs that weaken your immune system, such as cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune, Gengraf), sirolimus (Rapamune), tacrolimus (Prograf), or steroids;

• heart rhythm medicine such as digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxicaps, Lanoxin), disopyramide (Norpace), or quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinaglute);

• HIV medicines such as ritonavir (Norvir) or zidovudine (Retrovir);

• a sedative such as alprazolam (Xanax), midazolam (Versed), or triazolam (Halcion); or

• seizure medications such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol), phenytoin (Dilantin), and valproic acid (Depakote, Depakene).

This list is not complete and there are many other medicines that can interact with clarithromycin. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list with you of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• uneven heartbeats, chest pain, shortness of breath;

• diarrhea that is watery or bloody;

• nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

• fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash; or

• problems with your hearing.

Less serious side effects may include:

• mild stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, upset stomach;

• unusual or unpleasant taste in your mouth;

• tooth discoloration;

• dizziness, headache, anxiety, confusion;

• skin rash; or

• vaginal itching or discharge.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any bothersome or unusual side effect.