IN THIS ARTICLE
- What is clarithromycin (Biaxin, Biaxin XL, Biaxin XL-Pak)?
- What are the possible side effects of clarithromycin (Biaxin, Biaxin XL, Biaxin XL-Pak)?
- What is the most important information I should know about clarithromycin (Biaxin, Biaxin XL, Biaxin XL-Pak)?
- What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking clarithromycin (Biaxin, Biaxin XL, Biaxin XL-Pak)?
- How should I take clarithromycin (Biaxin, Biaxin XL, Biaxin XL-Pak)?
- What happens if I miss a dose (Biaxin, Biaxin XL, Biaxin XL-Pak)?
- What happens if I overdose (Biaxin, Biaxin XL, Biaxin XL-Pak)?
- What should I avoid while taking clarithromycin (Biaxin, Biaxin XL, Biaxin XL-Pak)?
- What other drugs will affect clarithromycin (Biaxin, Biaxin XL, Biaxin XL-Pak)?
- Where can I get more information?
What happens if I miss a dose (Biaxin, Biaxin XL, Biaxin XL-Pak)?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose (Biaxin, Biaxin XL, Biaxin XL-Pak)?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Overdose symptoms may include severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
What should I avoid while taking clarithromycin (Biaxin, Biaxin XL, Biaxin XL-Pak)?
Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, stop taking clarithromycin and call your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.
What other drugs will affect clarithromycin (Biaxin, Biaxin XL, Biaxin XL-Pak)?
Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:
- a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven);
- colchicine (Colcrys);
- itraconazole (Sporanox);
- omeprazole (Prilosec);
- ranitidine bismuth citrate (Tritec);
- sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Adcirca, Cialis), or vardenafil (Levitra);
- theophylline (Elixophyllin, Theo-24, Theochron, Uniphyl);
- tolterodine (Detrol);
- any other antibiotic, especially rifabutin (Mycobutin), rifapentine (Priftin), or rifampin (Rifater, Rifadin, Rifamate);
- cholesterol-lowering medicines such as atorvastatin (Lipitor, Caduet), pravastatin (Pravachol), and others;
- drugs that weaken your immune system, such as cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune, Gengraf), tacrolimus (Prograf), or steroids;
- heart medication such as amlodipine (Norvasc, Caduet, Exforge, Lotrel, Tekamlo, Tribenzor, Twynsta, Amturnide), digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxicaps, Lanoxin), diltiazem (Cartia, Cardizem), verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan), and others;
- HIV medicines such as atazanavir (Reyataz), efavirenz (Sustiva, Atripla), nevirapine (Viramune), ritonavir (Norvir, Kaletra), saquinavir (Invirase), or zidovudine (Retrovir);
- insulin or oral diabetes medication;
- a sedative such as alprazolam (Xanax), midazolam (Versed), or triazolam (Halcion); or
- seizure medications such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Equetro, Tegretol), phenytoin (Dilantin), and valproic acid (Depakote, Depakene).
This list is not complete and there are many other drugs that can interact with clarithromycin. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to any healthcare provider who treats you.
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about clarithromycin.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
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