What is clarithromycin?

Clarithromycin is a semi-synthetic macrolide antimicrobial for oral use. Chemically, it is 6- 0- methylerythromycin. The molecular formula is C 38 H 69 NO 13 , and the molecular weight is 747.96. The structural formula is: Figure 1: Structure of Clarithromycin Clarithromycin USP is a white or almost white, crystalline powder. It is soluble in acetone, slightly soluble in methanol, ethanol, and acetonitrile, and practically insoluble in water. Clarithromycin tablets, USP are available as immediate-release tablets. Each film-coated tablet contains 250 mg or 500 mg of clarithromycin USP and the following inactive ingredients: microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, colloidal silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate, povidone, hypromellose, titanium dioxide, hydroxypropyl cellulose, iron oxide yellow, propylene glycol, vanillin, and sorbic acid. Chemical Structure

What kind of drug is clarithromycin?

The FDA classifies clarithromycin as a macrolide antimicrobial. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.

Can you take clarithromycin with other medicines?

It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run clarithromycin against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.

What brand names is clarithromycin sold under?

We track 2 clarithromycin-containing products in the U.S.: Biaxin and Biaxin XL. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.

What forms does clarithromycin come in?

Across the brands we track, clarithromycin is currently marketed as tablet and tablet, extended release, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.

Is there a generic clarithromycin?

We do not currently list a generic-labelled clarithromycin product. That does not always mean none exists — it means none appears under a generic name in the FDA data we track. Ask your pharmacist.

Clarithromycin: uses, dosing, side effects & brands

Clarithromycin is a macrolide antimicrobial sold in the U.S. under 2 brand and generic names, for bronchitis, chlamydia infections and duodenal ulcer. Below: what the FDA label says, every product that contains it, what the pills look like, and its recall record.

By the pharmaranks editorial teamReviewed against the FDA (openFDA label, NDC Directory & Enforcement) sourcesHow we research

Key facts

Drug class: Macrolide Antimicrobial
Treats: Bronchitis, Chlamydia Infections and Duodenal Ulcer
Available as: Tablet · Tablet, extended release
Sold as: 2 products — Biaxin and Biaxin XL
Prescription?: Prescription only
Generic available?: Not in our catalog
Typical price: about $0 for a 30-count supply

How clarithromycin is dosed

From the FDA label for Biaxin XL (application NDA050697). Other clarithromycin products — different forms, different strengths — are dosed differently. Follow the label for the one you were prescribed.

Adults: Clarithromycin tablets 250 mg or 500 mg every 12 hours for 7 to 14 days (2.2) H. pylori eradication (in combination with lansoprazole/amoxicillin, omeprazole/amoxicillin, or omeprazole): Clarithromycin tablets 500 mg every 8 or 12 hours for 10 to 14 days. See full prescribing information (FPI) for additional information. (2.3) Pediatric Patients: Clarithromycin tablets 15 mg/kg/day divided every 12 hours for 10 days (2.4) Mycobacterial Infections: Clarithromycin tablets 500 mg every 12 hours; clarithromycin tablets 7.5 mg/kg up to 500 mg every 12 hours in pediatric patients (2.5) Reduce dose in moderate renal impairment with concomitant atazanavir or ritonavir-containing regimens and in severe renal impairment (2.6) 2.1 Important Administration Instructions Clarithromycin tablets may be given with or without food. 2.2 Adult Dosage The recommended dosages of clarithromycin tablets for the treatment of mild to moderate infections in adults are listed in Table 1. Table 1. Adult Dosage Guidelines Clarithromycin Tablets Infection Dosage (every 12 hours) Duration (days) Acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis 250 to 500 mg For M. catarrhalis and S. pneumoniae use 250 mg. For H. influenzae and H. parainfluenzae, use 500 mg. 7 For H. parainfluenzae, the duration of therapy is 7 days. to 14 Acute maxillary sinusitis 500 mg 14 Community-acquired pneumonia 250 mg 7 For…

Clarithromycin side effects

The following serious adverse reactions are described below and elsewhere in the labeling: Acute Hypersensitivity Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] QT Prolongation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Hepatotoxicity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Serious Adverse Reactions Due to Concomitant Use with Other Drugs [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Clostridium difficile Associated Diarrhea [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] Exacerbation of Myasthenia Gravis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) ] Most frequent adverse reactions for both adult and pediatric populations in clinical trials: abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, dysgeusia (6.1) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Aurobindo Pharma USA, Inc. at 1-866-850-2876 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical studies are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical studies of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical studies of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Based on pooled data across all indications, the most frequent adverse reactions for both adult and pediatric populations observed in clinical trials are abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and dysgeusia. Also reported were dyspepsia, liver function test abnormal,…

Every clarithromycin product we track (2)

Same active ingredient — different manufacturer, form, price and FDA recall record. That last one is what our independent score measures.

Clarithromycin products
#	Drug	Rating	Type	Form	Generic?	Typical price
1	Biaxin	70/100	Prescription	Suspension	Generic	$0	View →
2	Biaxin XL	70/100	Prescription	Tablet	Generic

What clarithromycin pills look like

Imprint codes, colour and shape from the FDA’s labelling data. Match the imprint on your pill — or search any imprint.

Clarithromycin pill imprints
Imprint	Strength	Colour	Shape	Maker
L139	250 mg	yellow	oval	—
D;63	500 mg	yellow	oval	—
D;63	500 mg	yellow	oval	—
D;63	500 mg	yellow	oval	—
L140	500 mg	yellow	oval	—
S;39	250 mg	white

Combination products containing clarithromycin

A combination is a different drug — different dosing, different warnings. It is listed here so you can find it, not so you can substitute it.

Prevpac (Copackaged)

Frequently asked questions

What is clarithromycin?: Clarithromycin is a semi-synthetic macrolide antimicrobial for oral use. Chemically, it is 6- 0- methylerythromycin. The molecular formula is C 38 H 69 NO 13 , and the molecular weight is 747.96. The structural formula is: Figure 1: Structure of Clarithromycin Clarithromycin USP is a white or almost white, crystalline powder. It is soluble in acetone, slightly soluble in methanol, ethanol, and acetonitrile, and practically insoluble in water. Clarithromycin tablets, USP are available as immediate-release tablets. Each film-coated tablet contains 250 mg or 500 mg of clarithromycin USP and the following inactive ingredients: microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, colloidal silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate, povidone, hypromellose, titanium dioxide, hydroxypropyl cellulose, iron oxide yellow, propylene glycol, vanillin, and sorbic acid. Chemical Structure
What kind of drug is clarithromycin?: The FDA classifies clarithromycin as a macrolide antimicrobial. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.
Can you take clarithromycin with other medicines?: It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run clarithromycin against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.
What brand names is clarithromycin sold under?: We track 2 clarithromycin-containing products in the U.S.: Biaxin and Biaxin XL. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.
What forms does clarithromycin come in?: Across the brands we track, clarithromycin is currently marketed as tablet and tablet, extended release, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.

Sources: FDA openFDA drug label, National Drug Code Directory, and Enforcement (recall) database. This page reproduces public FDA data and is not medical advice. Dosing is set by your prescriber.