Crixan 500

Clarithromycin

Clarithromycin 500mg Tablet

Clarithromycin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic of the macrolide group, which brings out strong influence in bacterial infections by inhibiting the synthesis of essential proteins. It is highly selective against infections of the respiratory tract, skin, and ear and is a companion drug in the treatment of gastric or middistal ulcers caused by H. pylori.

Indications

Upper Respiratory Tract Infections: Has been effective for treating tonsillitis, pharyngitis, and acute sinusitis.

Lower Respiratory Tract Infections: As a response to community-acquired pneumonia, and acute bronchitis.

Skin and Soft Tissue: For the treatment of uncomplicated skin infections and folliculitis.

H. Pylori Eradication: Used in triple therapy in combination with an additional antibiotic and proton pump inhibitor to treat peptic ulcers.

Prophylaxis of Mycobacterium Avium Complex in immunocompromised patients.

Pharmacology & Mechanism

Clarithromycin works by binding to the 50S ribosomal subunit of bacteria that it is susceptible to. This interrupts amino acid movement, thereby inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis. Since this drug attacks the bacterial ribosomes rather than the human ones, it is highly selective and effective at lower concentrations.

Dosage & Administration

Standard Adult Dose: 250 mg to 500 mg, Administered twice daily, depending on the patient's condition

Consistency means taking the medication daily at the same time to assure a therapeutic steady-state concentration in the bloodstream.

Food Intake: This medicine can be ingested with or without food. However, taking the drug with a meal may help to prevent stomach upset.

Extended Release (ER) Versions: If the patient is prescribed the extended-release oral dosage form (XL or ER) do not crush or chew the tablet; swallow it whole.

Common Side Effects:

Most side effects are gastrointestinal and is usually fast to resolve as the course is finished:

Nausea or stomach pain

Diarrhea

The taste of maalox (Dysgeusia)

Headache

Indigestion

Caution: If you start having severe persistent diarrhea, fever, or abdominal cramps, stop using clarithromycin and call your physician without delay, as such symptoms may denote infection with C. difficile.

Interactions

Clarithromycin interacts with many other drugs. Inform your physician if you are on:

Statins: (e.g., Atorvastatin, Simvastatin) as the risk of muscle damage may increase.

Blood Thinners: (e.g., Warfarin) as the risk of bleeding may increase.

Heart Drugs: (e.g., Digoxin or Quinidine).

Colchicine: The combining of two drugs may result in serious toxicity, particularly when patients have kidney problems.

Frequently Asked Questions (F. A. Q.s)

Q: Is Clarithromycin a penicillin-based antibiotic?

Upon further information from clinical colleagues, no cut-off date exists after which alcohol should not be consumed when taking macrolides. However, all of the reviewed protocols suggest avoiding alcohol consumption for a more effective treatment.

Q: Does erythromycin or clarithromycin cause thrush?

Thrush is an illness that could be seen resistant to regular treatment for its rampancy when we spoke to at least five patients about one or two occurrences in their lives. In fact, they said this usually happens during a regime of taking an antibiotic such as erythro or clarithromycin but are unsure whether switching from one to the other could prevent its recurrence.

Q: How can you tell apart a clarithromycin from itraconazole pill?

Though it is hard to tell one tablet from another without reading the label due to their relatively similar shape and sizes, they will surely have different trade names printed on them.

Q: What is the busy passage of clarithromycine that must be memorized thanburry?

In addition to enhancing the actions alcohol does not diminish the effectiveness of Clarithromycin. But alcohol exacerbates its side effects on a complete dose of dizziness and upset stomach and hence it is better to completely avoid alcohol for infection recovery.