Drug reference
clarithromycin
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Drug class
Anti Bacterial (Macrolides)
Mechanism of action
Semisynthetic macrolide antibiotic that reversibly binds to P site of 50S ribosomal subunit of susceptible organisms and may inhibit RNA-dependent protein synthesis by stimulating dissociation of peptidyl t-RNA from ribosomes, thereby inhibiting bacterial growth
Common side effects
- Rash
- Nausea
- Gastrointestinal (GI) effects, general
- Abnormal taste
- Elevated blood urea nitrogen
- Diarrhea
Contraindications
- Documented hypersensitivity Coadministration with pimozide, cisapride, ergotamine, and dihydroergotamine History of cholestatic jaundice or hepatic dysfunction associated with previous use of clarithromycin Coadministration with colchicine in patients with renal or hepatic impairment Co…
Known interactions (33)
- astemizole + clarithromycin Contraindicated
- avanafil + clarithromycin Contraindicated
- cisapride + clarithromycin Contraindicated
- clarithromycin + colchicine Contraindicated
- clarithromycin + eletriptan Contraindicated
- clarithromycin + ergotamine Contraindicated
- clarithromycin + flibanserin Contraindicated
- clarithromycin + ivabradine Contraindicated
- clarithromycin + lovastatin Contraindicated
- clarithromycin + lurasidone Contraindicated
- clarithromycin + pimozide Contraindicated
- clarithromycin + simvastatin Contraindicated
- alfuzosin + clarithromycin Major
- azithromycin + clarithromycin Major
- cabergoline + clarithromycin Major
- carbamazepine + clarithromycin Major
- chloroquine + clarithromycin Major
- clarithromycin + clofazimine Major
- clarithromycin + cyclosporine Major
- clarithromycin + digoxin Major
- clarithromycin + everolimus Major
- clarithromycin + fentanyl Major
- clarithromycin + indapamide Major
- clarithromycin + ivacaftor Major
- clarithromycin + methadone Major
- clarithromycin + quinidine Major
- clarithromycin + regorafenib Major
- clarithromycin + rifabutin Major
- clarithromycin + warfarin Major
- clarithromycin + Omeprazole Moderate
- clarithromycin + rosuvastatin Moderate
- clarithromycin + Theophylline Moderate
- clarithromycin + Tinidazole Moderate
Related conditions
Frequently asked questions
What drug class is clarithromycin?
clarithromycin belongs to: Anti Bacterial.
How does clarithromycin work?
Semisynthetic macrolide antibiotic that reversibly binds to P site of 50S ribosomal subunit of susceptible organisms and may inhibit RNA-dependent protein synthesis by stimulating dissociation of peptidyl t-RNA from ribosomes, thereby inhibiting bacterial growth
What are the common side effects of clarithromycin?
Rash, Nausea, Gastrointestinal (GI) effects, general, Abnormal taste, Elevated blood urea nitrogen, Diarrhea
Which drugs interact with clarithromycin?
astemizole, avanafil, cisapride, colchicine, eletriptan, ergotamine, flibanserin, ivabradine, lovastatin, lurasidone, pimozide, simvastatin, alfuzosin, azithromycin, cabergoline
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.