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Clarithromycin Oral Suspension Generic Name & Formulations
Legal Class
Rx
General Description
Clarithromycin 125mg/5mL, 250mg/5mL; granules for oral susp; fruit-punch flavor.
Pharmacological Class
Macrolide.
See Also
How Supplied
Contact supplier
Manufacturer
Clarithromycin Oral Suspension Indications
Indications
Mild to moderate susceptible pharyngitis/tonsillitis, acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis, community-acquired pneumonia, acute maxillary sinusitis, acute otitis media, uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections. Disseminated M. intracellulare. Treatment (with other antimycobacterials) and prophylaxis of disseminated Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC).
Clarithromycin Oral Suspension Dosage and Administration
Adult
Pharyngitis/tonsillitis: 250mg every 12hrs for 10 days. Bronchitis: 250mg–500mg every 12hrs for 7–14 days. CAP, skin and skin structures: 250mg every 12hrs for 7–14 days. Sinusitis: 500mg every 12hrs for 14 days. MAC: 500mg every 12hrs; continue indefinitely if improvement occurs. Severe renal impairment (CrCl <30mL/min): reduce clarithromycin dose by ½. When moderate or severe renal impairment and concomitant atazanavir or ritonavir: reduce clarithromycin dose by ½ (CrCl 30–60mL/min) or ¾ (CrCl <30mL/min).
Children
<6 months: not established. Otitis media, pharyngitis/tonsillitis, pneumonia, sinusitis, skin and skin structures: 7.5mg/kg every 12hrs for 10 days. MAC (see full labeling): 7.5mg/kg every 12hrs; max 500mg every 12hrs, continue indefinitely if improvement occurs.
Clarithromycin Oral Suspension Contraindications
Contraindications
Concomitant cisapride, pimozide, ergots, lomitapide, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors extensively metabolized by CYP3A4 (lovastatin or simvastatin). Concomitant colchicine (in renal or hepatic impairment). Cholestatic jaundice/hepatic dysfunction with prior clarithromycin use.
Clarithromycin Oral Suspension Boxed Warnings
Not Applicable
Clarithromycin Oral Suspension Warnings/Precautions
Warnings/Precautions
Discontinue immediately if hepatitis or severe hypersensitivity reactions occur. Avoid in known QT prolongation, ventricular cardiac arrhythmia (including torsades de pointes), proarrhythmic conditions (eg, hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, bradycardia). Coronary artery disease. Myasthenia gravis. Severe renal impairment. Elderly. Embryo-fetal toxicity. Pregnancy: not recommended (except when no alternatives are appropriate). Nursing mothers.
Clarithromycin Oral Suspension Pharmacokinetics
See Literature
Clarithromycin Oral Suspension Interactions
Interactions
See Contraindications. Class IA (disopyramide, quinidine, procainamide) or Class III (dofetilide, amiodarone, sotalol) antiarrhythmics, or other drugs known to prolong QT interval: not recommended. Sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil: not recommended. Antagonized by CYP3A inducers (eg, efavirenz, nevirapine, rifampicin, rifabutin, rifapentine, etravirine); use alternative antibacterial treatment. Doses >1000mg/day should not be coadministered with protease inhibitors. Separate zidovudine dose by at least 2hrs. Potentiated by CYP3A inhibitors (eg, itraconazole, saquinavir, atazanavir, ritonavir). Concomitant atazanavir: see Adults; consider alternative antibacterial therapy for indications other than MAC. May potentiate theophylline, omeprazole, phenytoin, digoxin, midazolam, alprazolam, triazolam, cyclosporine, hexobarbital, tacrolimus, alfentanil, bromocriptine, valproate, carbamazepine, tolterodine, itraconazole, methylprednisolone, cilostazol, vinblastine, quetiapine, maraviroc; monitor these and other drugs metabolized by CYP3A. Myopathy/rhabdomyolysis with statins; max 20mg atorvastatin/day, 40mg pravastatin/day; consider use of statin not dependent on CYP3A metabolism (eg, fluvastatin). Reduce colchicine dose if coadministration is necessary. Hypoglycemia with oral hypoglycemics/insulin; carefully monitor glucose. Oral anticoagulants: frequently monitor INR and prothrombin times. Hypotension with calcium channel blockers metabolized by CYP3A4 (eg, verapamil, amlodipine, diltiazem, nifedipine).
Clarithromycin Oral Suspension Adverse Reactions
Adverse Reactions
Abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, dysguesia; hepatotoxicity, QT prolongation, C. difficile-associated diarrhea, hypersensitivity reactions.
Clarithromycin Oral Suspension Clinical Trials
See Literature
Clarithromycin Oral Suspension Note
Notes
Formerly known under the brand name Biaxin, Biaxin Oral Suspension, Biaxin XL.
Clarithromycin Oral Suspension Patient Counseling
See Literature
