What is Clarithromycin?

Clarithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic. So it is used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections. It is used for treatment of different types of bacterial infections affecting the skin and respiratory system. This anti-biotic only treats bacterial infection and it will not work on viral infections. This medication is also used with some anti-ulcer medicines to treat some types of stomach ulcers. Clarithromycin is works by stopping or blocking the growth of bacteria. Antibiotics will not kill viruses that can cause colds, flu, or other infections. It will used to cure the conditions like pneumonia (lung infection), bronchitis (infection of the tubes leading to the lungs), ears infections, sinuses, skin and throat.

How to take Clarithromycin?

• Take it orally with or without food as your doctor prescribed you. But usually it will taken 2 times in a day.


• Take this medication at same time because it works efficiently when the amount of medicine is at constant level.


• If you are using this medication to treat an infection, continue to take this medication until the full prescribed amount is finished, even if symptoms disappear after a few days.


• Stopping the medication too early may result in a return of the infection.

Side Effects caused by this medication :

Common Side Effects are :

• diarrhea


• nausea


• vomiting


• stomach pain


• heartburn


• gas


• change in taste


• headache

Following are some serious side effect if you find any symptoms of these effects then immediately call your doctor or physician.

• Rash, hives


• Itching, fever


• swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs


• difficulty breathing or swallowing


• hoarseness


• peeling or blistering skin


• yellowing of the skin or eyes


• extreme tiredness


• unusual bleeding or bruising


• lack of energy


• loss of appetite


• pain in the upper right part of the stomach


• dark-colored urine


• flu-like symptoms


• fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat


• muscle weakness such as difficulty chewing, talking, or performing daily activities


• double vision

Symptoms caused by the overdose of medication :

• stomach pain


• nausea


• vomiting


• diarrhea

Precautions :

• Do not share this medication with others.


• This medication has been prescribed for your current condition only.


• Do not use it later for another infection unless your doctor directs you to do so.


• Laboratory and/or medical tests (such as cultures, liver or kidney function tests) may be performed time to time to monitor your improvement or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.