Uses of Clarithromycin Oral Suspension:

• It is used to treat or prevent bacterial infections.

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Clarithromycin Oral Suspension?

• If you are allergic to clarithromycin oral suspension; any part of clarithromycin oral suspension; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If clarithromycin oral suspension caused liver problems before.
• If you have ever had a long QT on ECG or other heartbeat that is not normal.
• If you have any of these health problems: Low magnesium levels, low potassium levels, or slow heartbeat.
• If you take any drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) that must not be taken with clarithromycin oral suspension, like certain drugs that are used for high cholesterol, migraines, or mood problems. There are many drugs that must not be taken with clarithromycin oral suspension.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with clarithromycin oral suspension.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take clarithromycin oral suspension with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take Clarithromycin Oral Suspension?

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take clarithromycin oral suspension. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert until you see how clarithromycin oral suspension affects you.
• Do not use longer than you have been told. A second infection may happen.
• If you have high blood sugar (diabetes), you will need to watch your blood sugar closely.
• This medicine interacts with many other drugs. The chance of side effects may be raised. This may include severe, life-threatening, or deadly side effects. Check with your doctor and pharmacist to make sure that it is safe for you to take clarithromycin oral suspension with all of your other drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins).
• This medicine may cause a type of abnormal heartbeat (prolonged QT interval). If this happens, the chance of other unsafe and sometimes deadly abnormal heartbeats may be raised.
• A severe and sometimes deadly reaction has happened. Most of the time, this reaction has signs like fever, rash, or swollen glands with problems in body organs like the liver, kidney, blood, heart, muscles and joints, or lungs. If you have questions, talk with the doctor.
• If you have heart disease, talk with your doctor. In one study, people with heart disease who took clarithromycin had a higher chance of death a year or more later than those who did not take clarithromycin. The cause of this was not known. Other studies have shown different results.
• Myasthenia gravis that has gotten worse has happened during treatment with clarithromycin oral suspension.
• If you are 65 or older, use clarithromycin oral suspension with care. You could have more side effects.
• This medicine may cause harm to the unborn baby if you take it while you are pregnant. If you are pregnant or you get pregnant while taking clarithromycin oral suspension, call your doctor right away.
• Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about any risks to your baby.

How is this medicine (Clarithromycin Oral Suspension) best taken?

Use clarithromycin oral suspension as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• Take with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.
• Shake well before use.
• Measure liquid doses carefully. Use the measuring device that comes with clarithromycin oral suspension. If there is none, ask the pharmacist for a device to measure clarithromycin oral suspension.
• Keep taking clarithromycin oral suspension as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
• Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of liver problems like dark urine, feeling tired, not hungry, upset stomach or stomach pain, light-colored stools, throwing up, or yellow skin or eyes.
• Chest pain or pressure.
• Fast or abnormal heartbeat.
• Very bad dizziness or passing out.
• Muscle pain or weakness.
• Shortness of breath.
• Weakness on 1 side of the body, trouble speaking or thinking, change in balance, drooping on one side of the face, or blurred eyesight.
• Diarrhea is common with antibiotics. Rarely, a severe form called C diff–associated diarrhea (CDAD) may happen. Sometimes, this has led to a deadly bowel problem (colitis). CDAD may happen during or a few months after taking antibiotics. Call your doctor right away if you have stomach pain, cramps, or very loose, watery, or bloody stools. Check with your doctor before treating diarrhea.
• A very bad skin reaction (Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis) may happen. It can cause very bad health problems that may not go away, and sometimes death. Get medical help right away if you have signs like red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin (with or without fever); red or irritated eyes; or sores in your mouth, throat, nose, or eyes.

What are some other side effects of Clarithromycin Oral Suspension?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Stomach pain or diarrhea.
• Change in taste.
• Upset stomach or throwing up.
• Gas.
• Headache.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

How do I store and/or throw out Clarithromycin Oral Suspension?

• Store at room temperature. Do not refrigerate or freeze.
• Protect from light.
• Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
• Throw away any part not used after 2 weeks.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about clarithromycin oral suspension, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Frequently asked questions

• What are the best antibiotics for pneumonia?
• What is the best antibiotic to treat strep throat?
• Can I drink alcohol while taking clarithromycin?
• Can clarithromycin be used to treat UTI's?
• Can Biaxin cause headaches?

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