Take clarithromycin for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses may also increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to antibiotics. This medicine will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to clarithromycin or similar antibiotics, if you have ever had jaundice or liver problems caused by taking this medicine, or if you have liver or kidney disease and are also taking colchicine.
Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using. Many drugs can interact with clarithromycin, and some drugs should not be used together.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to clarithromycin or similar medicines such as azithromycin (Zithromax, Z-Pak, Zmax), erythromycin, or telithromycin, or if:
you have had jaundice or liver problems caused by taking clarithromycin; or
you have liver or kidney disease and you also take a medicine called colchicine.
Some medicines can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used with clarithromycin. Your doctor may need to change your treatment plan if you use any of the following drugs:
cisapride;
pimozide;
lomitapide
lovastatin or simvastatin; or
ergotamine or dihydroergotamine.
To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
heart problems;
long QT syndrome (in you or a family member);
coronary artery disease (clogged arteries);
myasthenia gravis;
liver disease;
kidney disease;
diabetes; or
an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood).
Clarithromycin may harm an unborn baby. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are using this medicine. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant.
In animal studies, clarithromycin caused birth defects. However, it is not known whether these effects would occur in humans. Ask your doctor about your risk.
Clarithromycin can pass into breast milk and may cause side effects in the nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding.
This medicine is not approved for use by anyone younger than 6 months old.
