CLARITHROMYCIN

Macrolide antibacterial; An erythromycin derivative with slightly greater activity than the parent compound. Tissue concentrations are higher than with erythromycin.

Dosage Forms

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Tablet

250 mg
500 mg

Oral suspension

25mg per 1ml or 125mg/5ml

Powder for solution for infusion

500 mg

Uses

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  • Diabetic foot
  • Trachoma
  • Bacterial tonsillitis and bronchitis (second line to amoxicillin, e.g. in penicillin-allergic patients)
  • H. pylori eradication
  • Non-gonococcal urethritis
  • Upper respiratory tract infection
  • Otitis media
  • Skin and soft-tissue infection

Dose and Duration

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Community-acquired pneumonia

By Mouth

Child 1 month –11 years(body-weight up to 8kg):7.5mg/kg twice daily for 5 days
Child 1 months–11 years(body-weight up to 8-11kg): 62.5mg twice daily for 5 days
Child 1 month –11 years(body-weight up to 12-19kg): 125mg twice daily for 5 days
Child 1 month –11 years(body-weight up to 20-29kg): 187.5mg twice daily for 5 days
Child 1 month –11 years(body-weight up to 30-40kg): 250mg twice daily for 5 days
Child 12–17 years: 500 twice daily for 5 days
Adult:500mg once daily for 5 days
Respiratory-tract infections, otitis media,skin and soft tissue infections

By Mouth

Child 1 month –11 years(body-weight up to 8kg):7.5mg/kg twice daily for 5 days
Child 1 months–11 years(body-weight up to 8-11kg): 62.5mg twice daily for 5 days
Child 1 month –11 years(body-weight up to 12-19kg): 125mg twice daily for 5 days
Child 1 month –11 years(body-weight up to 20-29kg): 187.5mg twice daily for 5 days
Child 1 month –11 years(body-weight up to 30-40kg): 250mg twice daily for 5 days
Child 12–17 years: 500 twice daily for 5 days
Adult:500mg once daily for 5 days
Mild to moderate typhoid due to multiple-antibacterial resistant organisms

By Mouth

Adult: 500mg daily for 7 days
Helicobacter pylori eradication (in combination with other drugs)

BY MOUTH

Adult: 500 mg twice daily for 7 days for first- and second-line eradication therapy; 10 days for third-line eradication therapy

Contraindications

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  • Allergy macrolides like azithromycin or erythromycin
  • Liver disease
  • Kidney disease

Side Effects

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Common or very common

  • With oral use - Arthralgia
  • Stomach upset, tooth and tongue discoloration, taste disturbances

Uncommon

  • Dizziness, drowsiness, headache, weakness, paraesthesia
  • Leucopoenia

Interactions

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  • Artemether/lumefantrine (increased risk of irregular heartbeat )

Pregnancy

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  • Avoid,particularly in the first trimester, unless potential benefit outweighs risk

Breastfeeding

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  • Avoid unless potential benefit outweighs risk—present in milk.

⚠️ Caution

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  • Avoid use in severe liver disease
  • Use with caution in renal failure with eGFR less than 10 ml/minute/1.73 m²