Clarithromycin

Clarithromycin, sold under the brand name Biaxin among others, is an <a href="/facts/Antibiotic/sF1kIfxg">antibiotic</a> used to treat various <a href="/facts/Bacterial/wC8xSCsU">bacterial</a> infections. This includes <a href="/facts/Strep_throat/bp4ATM2j">strep throat</a>, <a href="/facts/Pneumonia/Jw0KquTA">pneumonia</a>, skin infections, <a href="/facts/Helicobacter_pylori/9q4H68LP">H. pylori</a> infection, and <a href="/facts/Lyme_disease/820IycaC">Lyme disease</a>, among others. Clarithromycin can be taken by mouth as a tablet or liquid or can be infused intravenously.
Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, headaches, and diarrhea. Severe <a href="/facts/Allergic_reaction/dYAVosh8">allergic reactions</a> are rare. Liver problems have been reported. It may cause harm if taken during <a href="/facts/Pregnancy/vEKYGpep">pregnancy</a>. It is in the <a href="/facts/Macrolide/21qIKr7a">macrolide</a> class and works by slowing down bacterial <a href="/facts/Protein_synthesis/P4IcGjPd">protein synthesis</a>. Clarithromycin resistance is already a major challenge to healthcare systems and such resistance is spreading, leading to recommendations to test the susceptibility of pathogenic organisms to the antibiotic before commencing clarithromycin therapy.
Clarithromycin was developed in 1980 and approved for medical use in 1990. It is on the <a href="/facts/WHO_Model_List_of_Essential_Medicines/6kmu81Xm">World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines</a>. Clarithromycin is available as a generic medication. It is made from <a href="/facts/Erythromycin/dPt7avsU">erythromycin</a> and is chemically known as 6-O-methylerythromycin.

Clarithromycin open-in-new

Clarithromycin