• Home
• Learning Centers
• Diseases & Conditions
• Drugs
• Symptoms
• Videos
• Health Experts
• Tools
• Marketplace

• Basic Info
• Top Questions
• Clinical Info
• Interactions

What is the most important information I should know about clarithromycin?

Do not use clarithromycin if you are also using any of the drugs listed below. They can interact with clarithromycin and cause life-threatening heart rhythm disorders:

• astemizole (Hismanal);

• cisapride (Propulsid);

• ergot medicine such as ergotamine (Ergomar, Ergostat, Cafergot, Ercaf, Wigraine), or dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal Nasal Spray);

• pimozide (Orap); or

• terfenadine (Seldane).

Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Clarithromycin is usually given for 7 to 14 days (or longer when treating stomach ulcer). Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Clarithromycin will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

What is clarithromycin?

Clarithromycin is in a group of drugs called macrolide antibiotics. Clarithromycin fights bacteria in your body.

Clarithromycin is used to treat many different types of bacterial infections affecting the skin and respiratory system. Clarithromycin is also used together with other medicines to treat stomach ulcers caused by Helicobacter pylori.

Clarithromycin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking clarithromycin?

Do not use this medication if you are alleric to clarithromycin or to similar medicines such as azithromycin (Zithromax), dirithromycin (Dynabac), erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin), roxithromycin (Rulid, Surlid), or telithromycin (Ketek). Do not use clarithromycin if you are also using any of the drugs listed below. They can interact with clarithromycin and cause life-threatening heart rhythm disorders:

• astemizole (Hismanal);

• cisapride (Propulsid);

• ergot medicine such as ergotamine (Ergomar, Ergostat, Cafergot, Ercaf, Wigraine), or dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal Nasal Spray);

• pimozide (Orap); or

• terfenadine (Seldane).

Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• liver disease;

• kidney disease;

• porphyria; or

• a personal or family history of "Long QT syndrome."

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use clarithcomyin, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether clarithromycin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not give this medicine to a child younger than 6 months of age.