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Clarithromycin

 

Clarithromycin (generic Biaxin) Review

brand names: Biaxin XL, Biaxin Filmtab, Biaxin
generic names: Itraconazole, Clarithromycin

How does it work?

Klaricid XL tablets contain the active ingredient clarithromycin, which is a type of medicine known as a macrolide antibiotic. It is used to treat infections caused by bacteria. (NB. Clarithromycin is also available without a brand name, ie as the generic medicine .)

Clarithromycin works by preventing bacteria from producing proteins that are essential to them. Without these proteins the bacteria cannot grow, replicate and increase in numbers. Clarithromycin doesn’t directly kill the bacteria, but leaves them unable to increase in numbers. The remaining bacteria eventually die or are destroyed by the immune system. This treats the infection.

Clarithromycin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that is active against a wide variety of bacteria that cause a wide variety of infections. Clarithromycin may be used to treat infections of the upper or lower airways, skin or soft tissue, or ears.

To make sure the bacteria causing an infection are susceptible to clarithromycin your doctor may take a tissue sample, for example a swab from the throat or skin.

Klaricid XL tablets are known as modified release tablets. They are designed to release the medicine gradually over the day as the tablet passes through the gut. This means they only need to be taken once a day. The tablets should be swallowed whole and not chewed, broken or crushed, as this would stop the modified release design from working.

Possible food and drug interactions when taking Biaxin

If Biaxin is taken with certain other drugs, decreased, the effects of either can be increased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Biaxin with the following:

Alprazolam (Xanax)
Blood thinners such as Coumadin
Bromocriptine (Parlodel)
Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
Cholesterol-lowering drugs such as Mevacor and Zocor
Cilostazol (Pletal)
Cyclosporine (Sandimmune, others)
Triazolam (Halcion)
Valproate (Depakene, Theo-Dur, and Wigraine
Fluconazole (Diflucan)
Hexobarbital
Methylprednisolone (Medrol)
Midazolam (Versed)
Phenytoin (Dilantin)
Quinidine (Quinidex)
Pimozide (Orap)
Rifabutin (Mycobutin)
Ritonavir (Norvir)
Sildenafil (Viagra)
Tacrolimus (Prograf)
Theophylline (Slo-Phyllin, Sansert, DHE, Neoral)
Digoxin (Lanoxin)
Disopyramide (Norpace)
Ergot-based migraine drugs such as Cafergot, Depakote)
Zidovudine (Retrovir)

What side effects may I notice from taking Clarithromycin?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
•difficulty breathing
•redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
•severe or watery diarrhea
•skin rash, itching
•swelling of tongue or throat
•vomiting
•yellow color of eyes, skin, or urine

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
•changes in taste or smell
•headache
•nausea
•stomach pains or cramps

What is the most important information I should know about Clarithromycin (Biaxin)?

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

• terfenadine (Seldane).
• pimozide (Orap); or
• ergot medicine such as Wigraine), Ercaf, Cafergot, Ergostat, ergotamine (Ergomar, or dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal Nasal Spray);
• cisapride (Propulsid);
• astemizole (Hismanal);

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 (Biaxin) will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

Use with caution in

• Abnormal heart rhythm seen on a heart monitoring trace (ECG) as a 'prolonged QT interval', or people at risk of this (your doctor will know).
  
  
• Decreased liver function
  
  
• Decreased kidney function
  
  

Most important fact about Biaxin

Biaxin, like any other antibiotic, works best when there is a constant amount of drug in the blood. To keep the amount constant, try not to miss any doses.