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CLARITHROMYCIN Your dosage is: and . If you experience any of these adverse effects and they are bothersome, 250 mg tablet please talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Other names: Biaxin , Biaxin BID , 500 mg tablet They can suggest ways of managing these Biaxin XL  adverse effects. 500 mg extended release tablet WHY is this drug prescribed? Rarely, temporary hearing disruptions ____tablet(s) (____mg) ____times a day (fullness of the ears, decreased hearing, Clarithromycin is an anti-infective drug ringing of the ears), rash and other allergic () that is used to prevent or treat or reactions have been reported. If these avium complex (MAC) symptoms occur, please contact your doctor infection. Clarithromycin may also be used to 25 mg / mL oral suspension or pharmacist. treat other types of infections such as 50 mg / mL oral suspension bacterial , , and Rarely, increases in your enzymes , a stomach/intestinal ulcers due to an organism ____mL (____mg) ____times a day sign that indicates liver damage, can present called H. pylori . itself. If you have to take clarithromycin for a Clarithromycin regular tablets and oral long period of time, your doctor will check HOW should this drug be taken? suspension may be taken with or without your blood for changes in your liver enzymes. food. The clarithromycin oral suspension Depending on the type of infection you have, bottle should be well shaken before each It is important that you keep your doctor the dose of clarithromycin will vary. For dose. The extended release tablets (Biaxin appointments and come for your example, when used to prevent or treat MAC XL ) should be taken with food and laboratory tests so that your progress can infection, the usual dose of clarithromycin is swallowed whole. be followed. 500 mg twice daily. Take clarithromycin for the duration of time it What other PRECAUTIONS should you For bacterial , clarithromycin is is prescribed. If you stop it earlier, your follow while using this drug? given at a dose of 250 to 500 mg twice daily infection may come back. If the infection for 7 to 14 days (Biaxin  or Biaxin BID ), or worsens or persists, consult your doctor. Certain drugs can increase or decrease the 1000 mg once a day for 5, 7 or 14 days effect of clarithromycin. Also, clarithromycin (Biaxin XL ). What should you do if you FORGET a might influence the effect of other drugs. dose? Inform your doctor and pharmacist of all For the treatment of H. pylori stomach and prescribed and non-prescribed drugs you are intestinal ulcers, the usual dose is 500 mg If you miss a dose of clarithromycin, take it as taking. As well, you should inform them of twice daily, in conjunction with two other soon as possible. However, if it is time for natural products you are taking. If you wish to drugs. your next dose, do not double the dose, just start a new drug or natural product, please carry on with your regular schedule. consult with your pharmacist before doing so. Clarithromycin is available as a 250 mg or 500 mg regular tablets or a 500 mg extended You should NOT take the following release tablet. It is also available as an oral What ADVERSE EFFECTS can this drug drugs: suspension. cause? What should you do about them? • (Hismanal ), (Prepulsid ), Clarithromycin is usually well tolerated. At the (Orap ), (Seldane ) higher doses, it may cause , Drugs that should be used with caution suspension should NOT be kept in the or that may require a change in dosage refrigerator. The suspension is good for 14 include: days after it is prepared. Ensure that the drug

has not expired by checking the expiry date (Tegretol ) (“EXP”) shown on the outside of the package. Cyclosporine (Neoral , Sandimmune ) (Migranal ) Do not store in your bathroom or kitchen. CLARITHROMYCIN Digoxin (Lanoxin ) Heat and moisture may cause the drug to be Disopyramide (Rythmodan ) less active. (Cafergot ) If you have any questions or concerns Lopinavir / ritonavir (Kaletra ) about this drug or if you are experiencing (Versed ) adverse effects, please discuss them with Ritonavir (Norvir ) MEDICATION your pharmacist, doctor or nurse. (Prograf )

Theophylline (Theodur , Quibron , Write questions or concerns down to  Uniphyl ) ensure they are addressed. FACT SHEET  Triazolam (Halcion ) Warfarin (Coumadin ) The following pharmacist is available to answer questions: If you have a history of liver disease (, hepatitis), please notify your doctor prior to Pharmacist: ______taking this drug. Telephone: ______

Clarithromycin should NOT be taken if you are pregnant, unless your doctor believes the benefits outweigh the risks. The safety of clarithromycin has not been established during breastfeeding. Please discuss this with your doctor or pharmacist if this is a concern.

If you have a history of to either or , please notify your doctor prior to taking clarithromycin. Reference: Product Monograph. Biaxin  (clarithromycin). How should this drug be STORED? St-Laurent, Qc, Canada: Abbott Laboratories Limited, 2009. Prepared by the Ontario HIV Pharmacy Professional Specialty Group, 2003. Updated 2009. Clarithromycin tablets and oral suspension ° should be stored in a cool (15-30 C) dry Additional medication fact sheets and updates may be found place, protected from light and well out of the at: www.hivclinic.ca reach of children. The clarithromycin oral