CLARITHRO

SPECIFICATION

250mg & 500mg

Generics

Clarithromycin

About

Clarithromycin exerts its antibacterial action by binding to the 5OS ribosomal subunits of susceptible bacteria and suppressing protein synthesis.

Indication

Clarithromycin is indicated for treatment of infections due to susceptible organisms. Such infections include: 1. Lower respiratory tract infections (e.g., bronchitis, pneumonia); 2. Upper respiratory tract infections (e.g., pharyngitis, sinusitis); 3. Skin and soft tissue infections (e.g., folliculitis, cellulitis, erysipelas); 4. Disseminated or localized mycobacterial infections due to Mycobacterium avium or Mycobacterium intracellulare. Localized infections due to Mycobacterium chelonae, Mycobacterium fortuitum, or Mycobacterium kansasii;

Side Effects

Diarrhea, nausea, abnormal taste, dyspepsia, abdominal pain/discomfort, and headache. . Allergic reactions ranging from urticaria and mild skin eruptions to rare cases of anaphylaxis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome andtoxic epidermal necrolysis have occurred. Other adverse events include glossitis, stomatitis, oral moniliasis, anorexia, vomiting, pancreatitis, tongue discoloration, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, neutropenia, and dizziness. There have been rare cases of tooth discoloration in patients treated with Clarithromycin. Tooth discoloration is usually reversible with professional dental cleaning.There have been isolated reports of hearing loss, 

Drug Interactions

Cisapride, pimozide, astemizole and terfenadine , Ergot alkaloids , Midazolam ,HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors (statins).

When not to Use

Hypersensitivity to macrolide antibiotic drugs or any of the excipients. Concomitant administration of clarithromycin and any of the following drugs is contraindicated:Astemizole, cisapride, pimozide, terfenadine as this may result in QT prolongation and cardiac arrhythmias including ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, and torsades de pointes.Concomitant administration of clarithromycin and ergot alkaloids

Precaution

The physician should not prescribe clarithromycin to pregnant women without carefully weighing the benefits against risk, particularly during the first three months of pregnancy. Long-term use may, as with other antibiotics, result in colonization with increased numbers of non-susceptible bacteria and fungi. If superinfections occur, appropriate therapy should be instituted.