Clarithromycin (Oral Route)

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Before Using

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Studies on this medicine have not been done in children up to 6 months of age. In effective doses, the medicine has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems in children over the age of 6 months than it does in adults.

Geriatric

This medicine has been tested in a limited number of elderly patients and has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy CategoryExplanation
All TrimestersCAnimal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women.

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

  • Astemizole
  • Bepridil
  • Cisapride
  • Conivaptan
  • Dihydroergotamine
  • Dronedarone
  • Eplerenone
  • Ergoloid Mesylates
  • Ergonovine
  • Ergotamine
  • Levomethadyl
  • Mesoridazine
  • Methylergonovine
  • Methysergide
  • Pimozide
  • Ranolazine
  • Silodosin
  • Terfenadine
  • Thioridazine
  • Tolvaptan
  • Ziprasidone

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

  • Acecainide
  • Ajmaline
  • Amiodarone
  • Amisulpride
  • Amitriptyline
  • Amoxapine
  • Aprepitant
  • Aprindine
  • Arsenic Trioxide
  • Atazanavir
  • Atorvastatin
  • Azimilide
  • Bretylium
  • Chloral Hydrate
  • Chloroquine
  • Chlorpromazine
  • Colchicine
  • Dasatinib
  • Desipramine
  • Dibenzepin
  • Digoxin
  • Disopyramide
  • Dofetilide
  • Dolasetron
  • Doxepin
  • Droperidol
  • Enflurane
  • Erythromycin
  • Etravirine
  • Everolimus
  • Fentanyl
  • Flecainide
  • Fluconazole
  • Fluoxetine
  • Fluticasone
  • Foscarnet
  • Gemifloxacin
  • Halofantrine
  • Haloperidol
  • Halothane
  • Hydroquinidine
  • Ibutilide
  • Iloperidone
  • Imipramine
  • Isoflurane
  • Isradipine
  • Ixabepilone
  • Lapatinib
  • Lidoflazine
  • Lorcainide
  • Lovastatin
  • Mefloquine
  • Nifedipine
  • Nilotinib
  • Nortriptyline
  • Octreotide
  • Pentamidine
  • Pirmenol
  • Prajmaline
  • Probucol
  • Procainamide
  • Prochlorperazine
  • Propafenone
  • Protriptyline
  • Quetiapine
  • Quinidine
  • Rifabutin
  • Risperidone
  • Salmeterol
  • Sematilide
  • Sertindole
  • Simvastatin
  • Sirolimus
  • Sotalol
  • Spiramycin
  • Sulfamethoxazole
  • Sultopride
  • Sunitinib
  • Tadalafil
  • Tedisamil
  • Telithromycin
  • Temsirolimus
  • Trifluoperazine
  • Trimethoprim
  • Trimipramine
  • Vasopressin
  • Venlafaxine
  • Voriconazole
  • Zolmitriptan
  • Zotepine

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

  • Acenocoumarol
  • Alfentanil
  • Alprazolam
  • Bromocriptine
  • Carbamazepine
  • Cilostazol
  • Conjugated Estrogens
  • Cyclosporine
  • Darunavir
  • Delavirdine
  • Diazepam
  • Efavirenz
  • Esterified Estrogens
  • Estradiol
  • Estriol
  • Estrone
  • Estropipate
  • Fesoterodine
  • Glipizide
  • Glyburide
  • Hexobarbital
  • Indinavir
  • Itraconazole
  • Lopinavir
  • Methylprednisolone
  • Midazolam
  • Nevirapine
  • Paroxetine
  • Phenytoin
  • Prednisone
  • Repaglinide
  • Rifapentine
  • Ritonavir
  • Saquinavir
  • Tacrolimus
  • Tipranavir
  • Tolterodine
  • Trazodone
  • Triazolam
  • Verapamil
  • Warfarin

Other Interactions

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

  • Kidney disease—Patients with severe kidney disease may have an increased chance of side effects.
Proper Use Brand Names and Description

DR601697

Portions of this document last updated:

Nov. 1, 2009

Source: Drug Information provided by: Micromedex

Copyright © 2009 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.


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