Back to Macrolides

Clarithromycin hydrochloride

Pregnancy Category C

Drug classes

Antibiotics
Macrolides

Mechanism of action
Inhibits protein synthesis in susceptible bacteria, causing cell death.

Indications

Treatment of upper respiratory infections caused by S. pyogenes, S. pneumoniae
Treatment of lower respiratory infections caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, M. catarrhalis
Treatment of skin and structure infections caused by S. aureus, S. pyogenes

Contraindications

Contraindicated in the presences of hypersensitivity to clarithromycin, erythromycin, or any macrolide antibiotic.

Use caution in the presence of colitis, hepatic or renal impairment, pregnancy, lactation.

Adverse effects

CNS: Dizziness, headache, vertigo, somnolence, fatigue
GI: Diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, dyspepsia, flatulence, vomiting, melena, pseudomembranous colitis
Other: Superinfections

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