• Basic Info
• Top Questions
• Clinical Info

What is this medicine?
CLARITHROMYCIN (kla RITH roe mye sin) is a macrolide antibiotic. It is used to treat or prevent certain kinds of bacterial infections. It will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

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What is the price of this medication and similar alternatives?

This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. This pricing information was updated 09/2009. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit www.drugstore.com. Actual costs to patients will vary depending on the use of specific retail or mail-order locations and health insurance copays.

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What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
• irregular heartbeat or chest pain
• pain or difficulty passing urine
• redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
• yellowing of the eyes or skin

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• abnormal taste
• anxiety, confusion, or nightmares
• diarrhea
• headache
• intestinal gas
• stomach upset or nausea

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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How should I use this medicine?
Take this medicine by mouth with glass of water. If it upsets your stomach you can take it with milk or food. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Take all of your medicine as directed even if you think your are better. Do not skip doses or stop your medicine early.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

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What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

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What may interact with this medicine?

• carbamazepine
• cisapride
• colchicine
• cyclosporine
• digoxin
• medicines for fungal infections like fluconazole, ketoconazole and itraconazole
• medicines for sleep or anxiety like alprazolam or triazolam
• some medicines for headaches like ergotamine or dihydroergotamine
• some medicines for high cholesterol like atorvastatin, lovastatin, simvastatin
• some medicines for irregular heart rhythm like amiodarone, disopyramide, dofetilide, flecainide, procainamide, quinidine
• omeprazole
• other antibiotics like grepafloxacin or sparfloxacin
• pimozide
• rifabutin
• ritonavir
• sildenafil
• terfenadine
• theophylline
• warfarin
• zidovudine

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

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Who should NOT use this medication?

• Known hypersensitivity to clarithromycin, erythromycin, any macrolide, or any ingredient in the formulation.

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What should I watch for while using this medicine?
Tell your doctor or health care professional if your symptoms do not improve.

Do not treat diarrhea with over the counter products. Contact your doctor if you have diarrhea that lasts more than 2 days or if it is severe and watery.

If you have diabetes, monitor your blood sugar carefully while on this medicine.

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What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• bowel disease, like colitis
• irregular heartbeat or heart disease
• kidney disease
• liver disease
• an unusual or allergic reaction to clarithromycin, other macrolide antibiotics, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

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Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
If you have been diagnosed with a disease for which an antibiotic is needed, you must complete the prescribed course of treatment. Even if you start to feel better, do not skip any doses and remember to take the medication until it is all gone.

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I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.

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Where can I get more information?
More Information

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