Clarithromycin (6-O-methyl erythromycin) is a macrolide antibiotic used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections causing infections of the middle ear, tonsillitis, throat infections, laryngitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, and skin infections. It also is used in treating infections caused by mycobacterium avium, a bacterium closely related to the bacterium that causes tuberculosis. It prevents bacteria from growing by interfering with their capability to make proteins. Due to the differences in the way proteins are made in bacteria and humans, the macrolide antibiotics do not interfere with production of proteins in humans therefore; it is approved by FDA in October 1991.Clarithromycin has a fairly rapid first-pass hepatic metabolism in human liver. Its major metabolites include N-desmethyl Clarithromycin and 14-(R) - Hydroxy Clarithromycin it is an active metabolite. Compared to Clarithromycin, it is less potent against Mycobacterial tuberculosis and Mycobacterial avium complex. ItâEUR(TM)s MIC against Mycobacterial tuberculosis H37RV lux ABCDE strain is 35 µM. Besides these two major metabolites, it is also metabolized to 14-(S)-Hydroxy Clarithromycin. However, N-desmethyl Clarithromycin and 14-(S)-Hydroxy Clarithromycin are inactive metabolites. It is (20%-40%) and its active metabolite (10%-15%) is found in urine. Of all the drugs in its class, It has the best bioavailability at 50%, which makes it amenable to oral administration.Uses:

• It is mainly used in bacterial infections


• Also used in combination with anti-ulcer medicines to treat certain types of stomach ulcers.


• It will not work for viral infections like common cold, flu.


• Unnecessary use or overuse of any antibiotic can lead to its decrease effectiveness.

Dosing:Clarithromycin may be taken with or without food. For most infections the recommended adult dose is 250-500 mg of immediate release tablets twice daily or 1000 mg of extended release tablets once daily for 7-14 days.Storage:

• Store at room temperature 15 -30 C (59-86 F) in a tightly closed container.


• Should not be refrigerated the oral suspension after mixing, should be used within 14 days.

Side Effects:Common side effects:

• Diarrhea,


• Drowsiness,


• Abdominal pain and vomiting,


• Swelling on face.

Less common side effects:

• Extreme irritability,


• Headaches, Rashes,


• Hallucinations (auditory and visual),


• Dizziness/motion sickness,


• Alteration in senses of smell and taste include a metallic taste


• Dry mouth, panic and / or anxiety attacks


• Kidney problems include renal failure.


• Uneven heartbeats,


• Chest pain.

Precaution:

• If you have liver or kidney disease or certain heart problems,


• Low potassium or sodium levels imbalance.


• ItâEUR(TM)s not to be used in pregnant patients.

Interaction with Drug:

• Calcium channel blockers like nifedipine and Clarithromycin should not be used together or it may result in severe kidney damage or low blood pressure.


• Clarithromycin is almost never used in HIV patients due to significant interaction with HIV drugs.


• Clarithromycin interacts with several drugs which cause reduces the activity of liver enzymes that breakdown many drugs which can be leads to increased blood levels and side effects from the affected drugs.