Clarithromycin (Systemic)

Brand Names : Biaxin

Proper Use of This Medicine

Clarithromycin may be taken with meals or milk or on an empty stomach, extended release tablets should be taken with food.

If you are taking clarithromycin and zidovudine, these medicines should be taken at least 4 hours apart.

To help clear up your infection completely, keep taking clarithromycin for the full time of treatment , even if you begin to feel better after a few days. If you stop taking this medicine too soon, your symptoms may return.

If you are using clarithromycin oral suspension , use a specially marked measuring spoon or other device to measure each dose accurately. The average household teaspoon may not hold the right amount of liquid.

Dosing - The dose of clarithromycin will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label . The following information includes only the average doses of clarithromycin. Your dose may be different if you have kidney disease. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The number of tablets or teaspoonfuls of suspension that you take depends on the strength of the medicine.

• For oral dosage forms (suspension and tablets):
  • For bacterial infections:
    For oral dosage form ( suspension and tablets):
    • Adults and teenagers - 250 to 500 milligrams (mg) every twelve hours for seven to fourteen days.
    • Children 6 months of age and older - 7.5 mg per kilogram (kg) (3.4 mg per pound) of body weight every twelve hours for ten days.
    • Infants up to 6 months of age - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For long-acting oral dosage form (extended release tablets)
    • Adults and teenagers - 1000 milligrams (mg) once a day for seven to fourteen days.
  • For Community-acquired pneumonia
    For oral dosage form ( suspension and tablets):
    • Adults and teenagers - 250 to 500 milligrams (mg) every twelve hours for seven to fourteen days.
    • Children 6 months of age and older - 7.5 mg per kilogram (kg) (3.4 mg per pound) of body weight every twelve hours for ten days.
    
    For long-acting oral dosage form (extended-release tablets):
    • Adults and teenagers - 1000 milligrams (mg) once a day for seven days
  • For prevention or treatment of Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection:
    For oral dosage form ( suspension and tablets):
    • Adults and teenagers - 500 mg two times a day.
    • Children 6 months of age and older - 7.5 mg per kg (3.4 mg per pound) of body weight, up to 500 mg, two times a day.
    • Infants up to 6 months of age - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For treatment of ulcers associated with Helicobacter pylori :
    For oral dosage form ( suspension and tablets):
    • Adults and teenagers - 500 mg three times a day for fourteen days, in combination with omeprazole or ranitidine bismuth sulfate; or 500 mg every twelve hours in combination with amoxicillin and lansoprazole for fourteen days.
    • Infants and children - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed dose - If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage - To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.
• Do not store suspension in the refrigerator.