Here’s the detailed profile for Clarithromycin Tablet 500 mg 👇
💊 Clarithromycin Tablet 500 mg
📘 Description:
- Clarithromycin is a semi-synthetic macrolide antibiotic.
- It inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by binding to the 50S ribosomal subunit, preventing translocation.
- Activity: broad-spectrum, effective against Gram-positive, Gram-negative & atypical bacteria.
📄 Prescription / Indications:
- Respiratory tract infections → pneumonia, bronchitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, sinusitis.
- Skin & soft tissue infections → cellulitis, impetigo, erysipelas.
- H. pylori eradication in peptic ulcer disease (part of triple/quadruple therapy).
- Mycobacterial infections (Mycobacterium avium complex – MAC).
- Otitis media and other ENT infections.
🌿 Nature / Drug Class:
- Antibiotic – Macrolide class
- Mainly bacteriostatic, but can be bactericidal at higher concentrations.
✅ Advantages:
- Better oral absorption & tissue penetration than erythromycin.
- Longer half-life → allows twice-daily dosing.
- Active against atypical organisms (Mycoplasma, Chlamydophila, Legionella).
- Proven role in H. pylori eradication therapy.
⚠️ Precautions:
Contraindications:
- Hypersensitivity to macrolides.
- Use with QT-prolonging drugs (risk of arrhythmia).
- History of torsades de pointes or serious ventricular arrhythmias.
Use with caution in:
- Liver impairment (metabolized hepatically).
- Renal impairment (dose adjustment may be needed).
- Concurrent therapy with CYP3A4 substrates (risk of drug interactions).
Adverse Effects:
- GI upset: nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain.
- Headache, metallic/altered taste.
- Rare but serious: QT prolongation, hepatotoxicity, cholestatic jaundice.
- Drug interactions – with warfarin, statins, carbamazepine, theophylline, digoxin, etc.
💊 Dosage (Adults):
- Standard infections: 250–500 mg every 12 hours for 7–14 days.
- Severe infections: 500 mg every 12 hours.
- H. pylori regimen: 500 mg twice daily (with amoxicillin + proton pump inhibitor).
📦 Common Packaging:
- Blister strips of 10 tablets (500 mg each).
- Bulk hospital packs also available.
❄️ Storage Conditions:
- Store below 25°C, in a dry place, protected from light.
- Keep away from children.