clarithromycin
| Uses | • bacterial infection (eradication of Helicobacter pylori; community-acquired pneumonia) |
| Contraindications, drug interactions or cautions | Contraindications • hypersensitivity to clarithromycin, erythromycin or any of the macrolide antibiotics • severe hepatic failure in combination with renal impairment • history of QT prolongation Drug Interactions • budesonide • fluoxetine • lovastatin, nisoldipine, salmeterol, simvastatin • tamsulosin Cautions • avoid use in patients with known prolongation of the QT interval, ventricular cardiac arrhythmia (including torsades de pointes), uncorrected hypokalemia or hypomagnesemia, clinically significant bradycardia, and patients receiving Class IA or Class III antiarrhythmic agents. |
| Adverse Effects (common and severe) | • vomiting • diarrhea • nausea • abdominal pain • dyspepsia • headache • skin rash |
| Instructions and dose (initial; typical) | 250 to 500 mg every 12 hours or 1000 mg (two 500 mg extended-release tablets) once daily |
| Monitoring | • complete blood count with differential; BUN; creatinine |
| Source of Suggestion | WHO Model List of Essential Medicines (Added on February, 2017) |