biaxin xl

How long does Clarithromycin stay in your body?

The elimination half-life of clarithromycin is about 3 to 4 hours at 250 mg, rising to 5 to 7 hours at 500 mg (dose-dependent) — the time it takes the body to clear about half of it. As a rule of thumb, a medicine is mostly gone after roughly 4 to 5 half-lives, though this varies from person to person with age and kidney or liver function. Clarithromycin has slightly nonlinear, dose-dependent kinetics, so the elimination half-life lengthens with higher doses (about 3-4 hours at 250 mg twice daily, 5-7 hours at 500 mg). Its active metabolite, 14-hydroxyclarithromycin (14-OH clarithromycin), outlasts the parent, with an elimination half-life of about 5-6 hours at 250 mg and 7-9 hours at 500 mg. Clarithromycin is cleared partly by the kidneys, so the half-life is prolonged and the drug accumulates in renal impairment (the label advises dose reduction when creatinine clearance is under 30 mL/min). In hepatic impairment, steady-state clarithromycin levels are unchanged but 14-OH metabolite levels are lower.

This is general information, not medical advice. It doesn’t tell you when a drug test would read negative (tests detect substances for different, often longer, windows) or when it’s safe to take another dose — ask your pharmacist or prescriber. Source: DailyMed — BIAXIN (clarithromycin) tablet, film coated / extended release / granule for suspension — Clinical Pharmacology.

Frequently asked questions

What does Biaxin XL treat?

Biaxin XL (Clarithromycin) may be used to treat bronchitis, chlamydia infections, duodenal ulcer, haemophilus infections, nontuberculous mycobacterium infections, otitis media, based on NIH RxClass drug-classification data (conditions a drug may treat — not a verbatim copy of the FDA-approved label). This is general reference, not medical advice.

How is Biaxin XL rated?

pharmaranks gives Biaxin XL a composite score of 3.6 out of 5, currently based on 1 weighted source (FDA regulatory recall-safety data weighted highest). See our methodology at /how-we-rate.

How much does Biaxin XL cost?

Nobody can tell you what you will pay — your price is set by your insurer's formulary, your deductible and the pharmacy's markup, and none of those are published. What IS published is what the pharmacy paid to acquire it: about $0.47 per ml, per the CMS NADAC survey. Treat that as the floor, not the quote — ask the pharmacist for the cash price as well as your copay, because for cheap generics the cash price often wins.

Is there a coupon or discount for Biaxin XL?

pharmaranks is an independent ratings site, not a pharmacy — we don't issue coupons or sell Biaxin XL. To pay less, ask your prescriber or pharmacist whether a generic equivalent exists, check the manufacturer's copay/savings card and patient-assistance program, and compare a pharmacy discount card against your insurance copay. Prices vary by pharmacy, insurance, and location, so always confirm at the counter. This is general reference, not medical or financial advice.

Who makes Biaxin XL?

Biaxin XL is marketed by Abbvie. You can see Abbvie's full profile, rating, and other products on pharmaranks.

Is Biaxin XL a brand-name or generic drug?

Biaxin XL is a brand-name product with the active ingredient Clarithromycin.

Is Biaxin XL available over the counter?

No. Biaxin XL is a prescription (Rx) medication in the US — you need a prescription from a licensed clinician (in person or via telehealth); it isn't sold over the counter. For some conditions there are OTC alternatives — ask your pharmacist.

What forms does Biaxin XL come in?

Biaxin XL is currently marketed as tablet and tablet, extended release, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory.

What class of drug is Biaxin XL?

Biaxin XL is classified as macrolide antimicrobial, per the FDA's Established Pharmacologic Class.

Is Biaxin XL FDA-registered?

Biaxin XL is on record with the U.S. FDA under application number NDA050697. You can verify this on its official FDA label.

Has Biaxin XL been recalled by the FDA?

Biaxin XL has no FDA recalls recorded under its own application in the openFDA enforcement database. Its recall-safety score reflects its manufacturer's overall recall record. This is general reference, not medical advice — check the FDA recall database for the latest alerts.

Is Biaxin XL safe?

There's no single safe-or-not verdict. pharmaranks gives Biaxin XL a recall-safety score of 72/100, based on its FDA recall history (no recalls under its own FDA application) — not an efficacy or side-effect rating. Review its FDA-label side effects and warnings before use, and always consult a licensed professional.