Clarithromycin : Before Using

Clarithromycin - Systemic

Brand Names

Biaxin Clarithromycin *** Before Using *** How to Use *** Fore Safe Use *** Side Effects *** Additional Information

Before Using

In deciding to using a medication, the chance of taking the drug must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you will make. For clarithromycin, the following must be considered

Allergic reaction

Tell your family doctor if you have any unusual or allergy to clarithromycin or to any related medication, such as erythromycin. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy care

Clarithromycin has not been studied in pregnant women. However, studies in pets have shown that clarithromycin causes birth defects and other problems. Before taking this drug, make sure your family doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.

Breast-feeding problem

Clarithromycin passes into breast milk. Although most medication pass into breast milk in small amounts, many of them may be using safely while breast feeding. Mothers who are taking this drug and who wish to breast feed must discuss this with their family doctor.

Use for Children

Studies on this drug have not been done in child up to 6 months of age. In effective doses, the drug has not been shown to cause various side effects or problems in child over the age of 6 months than it does in adults.

Elderly care

This drug has been tested in a limited number of elderly diseaseds and has not been shown to cause various side effects or problems in elderly people than it does in adults people.

Drug interactions

Although certain medication must not be using together at all, in other cases two various medication may be using together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your family doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking clarithromycin, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

Anticoagulants - blood thinners
Carbamazepine - Tegretol
Cisapride - Propulsid
Digoxin - Lanoxin
Pimozide - Orap
Theophylline - Theodur, Slo-Bid Clarithromycin may increase the risk of side side effects of medication; cisapride and pimozide must not be taken with clarithromycin

Rifabutin - Mycobutin
Rifampin - Rifadin Rifabutin or rifampin may decrease the amount of clarithromycin in the blood

Zidovudine - Retrovir Clarithromycin may decrease the amount of zidovudine in the blood

Other Information for using

The presence of other medical problems may effect the use of clarithromycin. Make sure you tell your family doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

Kidney disease Patients with severe kidney disease may have an increased risk of side effects