Clarithromycin – What You Need to Know

When you hear about clarithromycin, a macrolide antibiotic used to treat a variety of bacterial infections. Also known as Biaxin, it works by stopping bacterial protein synthesis, which halts growth and clears infection. Understanding clarithromycin helps you manage treatment, avoid pitfalls, and recognize when it’s the right choice.

Clarithromycin belongs to the macrolide antibiotics, a class that also includes erythromycin and azithromycin. These drugs share a similar mechanism: they bind to the 50S subunit of bacterial ribosomes, disrupting protein production. Because of this shared action, macrolides are often grouped together when doctors consider alternatives for bacterial infections. Common targets include community‑acquired pneumonia, strep throat, skin infections, and certain atypical mycobacterial diseases.

How Clarithromycin Is Used in Everyday Care

Most patients take clarithromycin orally, either as a tablet or an extended‑release suspension. Typical adult dosing ranges from 250 mg twice daily for mild infections to 500 mg twice daily for more serious cases. Children’s doses are weight‑based, usually 7.5 mg/kg twice a day. The drug is absorbed well on an empty stomach, but food can improve tolerance if you experience stomach upset.

Side effects are usually mild and include an upset stomach, altered taste, or a short‑lived rash. A larger concern is the potential for heart rhythm changes, especially in people taking other QT‑prolonging drugs. If you notice dizziness, fainting, or an irregular heartbeat, call your doctor right away.

Clarithromycin interacts with a wide range of medications because it inhibits the CYP3A4 enzyme in the liver. This means drugs like statins, certain anti‑arrhythmics, and some psychiatric medications can reach higher levels in your blood, increasing the risk of side effects. Always hand your pharmacist a full list of current meds before starting clarithromycin.

Resistance is a growing problem. Bacteria can acquire genes that modify the drug’s target site or pump the antibiotic out of the cell, rendering clarithromycin less effective. This is why doctors reserve it for infections proven or strongly suspected to respond to macrolides, rather than using it as a first‑line option for every bacterial infection.

Pregnant or breastfeeding women should discuss clarithromycin with their healthcare provider. While animal studies haven’t shown major risks, data in humans are limited, so the benefits must outweigh any potential danger. For patients with liver disease, dosage adjustments may be necessary because the drug is primarily cleared by the liver.

When you finish a course of clarithromycin, don’t skip doses even if you feel better. Stopping early can give surviving bacteria a chance to rebound, potentially leading to recurrence or resistance. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it’s almost time for the next one—then just skip the missed dose.

Beyond treating infections, clarithromycin has off‑label uses. Some dermatologists prescribe it for inflammatory skin conditions like acne rosacea because of its anti‑inflammatory properties. Researchers also explore its role in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations, although evidence remains mixed.

To sum up, clarithromycin is a versatile macrolide that tackles a range of bacterial infections, but it comes with important considerations: drug interactions, potential heart effects, and the ever‑present risk of resistance. Knowing these factors helps you and your clinician make informed choices, ensuring the antibiotic works when you truly need it.

Below you’ll find a collection of articles that dive deeper into specific aspects of clarithromycin—dosage guides, safety tips, comparisons with other antibiotics, and answers to common questions. Use them to sharpen your understanding and manage your treatment confidently.