Product Details
What is this medicine used for?
· For the treatment of the following infections caused by susceptible microorganisms:
- Upper respiratory tract infections including streptococcal pharyngitis and tonsillitis
- Acute otitis media and acute maxillary sinusitis
- Lower respiratory tract infections including atypical pneumonia, bronchitis
- Skin and skin structure infections including impetigo, folliculitis, cellulitis, abscesses (abscesses usually require surgical drainage)
- Disseminated or localized mycobacterial infections due to Mycobacterium intracellulare or Mycobacterium avium. Localized infections due to Mycobacterium kansasii, Mycobacterium chelonae and Mycobacterium fortuitum (usually in combination with other antimicrobial agents)
- Helicobacter pylori infections (in combination with other drugs)
Odontogenic infections
How much and how often should you use this medicine?
Clarithromycin tablets and suspension may be given with or without food. Clarithromycin suspension may be given with milk.
INDICATIONS |
RECOMMENDED ORAL ADULT DOSE |
RECOMMENDED ORAL PEDIATRIC DOSE |
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Non-Mycobacterial Infections
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Usual adult dose: 250 to 500 mg every 12 hours for 7 to 14 days, depending on the type and severity of infection. |
Usual pediatric dose: 15 mg/kg body weight/day to be given in two divided doses every 12 hours for 5 to 10 days depending on the type and severity of infection.
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Disseminated or Localized Mycobacterial Infections
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500 mg every 12 hours. Treatment should be continued for as long as clinical improvement is observed. Concomitant treatment with other anti- mycobacterial drugs may be beneficial. |
15 to 30 mg/kg body weight/day to be given in two divided doses every 12 hours (up to a maximum of 500 mg every 12 hours). Treatment should be continued for as long as clinical improvement is observed. Concomitant treatment with other anti-mycobacterial drugs may be beneficial. |
Prophylaxis of Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) Infections in HIV+/AIDS patients |
500 mg every 12 hours. Treatment should be continued while CD4 count is less than 100/mm3. |
15 mg/kg body weight/day to be given in two divided doses (up to a maximum of 500 mg every 12 hours). Treatment should be continued while CD4 count is less than 100/mm3. |
Treatment of MAC Infections in HIV+/AIDS patients
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500 mg every 12 hours. Treatment should be continued for as long as clinical improvement is observed. Clarithromycin should be used in combination with other antimycobacterial drugs with activity against MAC, such as ethambutol, rifabutin and rifampicin. |
15 to 30 mg/kg body weight/day to be given in two divided doses (up to a maximum of 500 mg every 12 hours). Treatment should be continued for as long as clinical improvement is observed. Clarithromycin should be used in combination with other antimycobacterial drugs with activity against MAC, such as ethambutol, rifabutin and rifampicin. |
Helicobacter pylori infections
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Triple therapy regimens: Clarithromycin 500 mg plus amoxicillin 1000 mg plus omeprazole 20 mg, all twice daily for 7 to 10 days, OR Clarithromycin 500 mg plus amoxicillin 1000 mg plus pantoprazole 40 mg, all twice daily for one week
Dual therapy regimen: Clarithromycin 500 mg three times daily plus omeprazole 40 mg once daily for 14 days, followed by omeprazole 20 mg or 40 mg once daily for an additional 14 days. |
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Odontogenic infections |
250 mg every 12 hours for 5 days |
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Or, as prescribed by a physician. |
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity to Clarithromycin or any ingredient in the product
- Cisapride, Pimozide, Astamizole, Tefernadine, Ergotamine, Dihydroergotamine: risk of arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm)
- Warfarin: increased risk of bleeding
- Carbamazepine: drowsiness, dizziness
- Colchicine: may cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain
- Ciclosporin: increased risk of kidney toxicity
- Digoxin: increase risk of digoxin toxicity
- Atorvastatin, Simvastatin: muscle pain and weakness
- Triazolam: increased risk of drowsiness and confusion
Availability
- Clarithromycin 500 mg Tablet - Boxes of 50’s (in blister pack by 10’s)