Klaricid

What is it?

A maerolide antibiotic preparation, available in a variety of forms: oval, yellow, film-coated tablets contain 250mg or 500mg of clarithromycin, all marked with logo; KLARICID XL, available as sustained-release, film-coated, yellow, oval tablets containing 500mg of clarithromycin, marked with logo; KLARICID PAEDIATRIC SUSPENSION containing 125mg or 250mg of clarithromycin per 5ml solution, when reconstituted (supplied as granules); KLARICID INTRAVENOUS INJECTION containing 500mg clarithromycin as powder in vials for reconstitution. KLARICID SACHETS, available as a powder in sachets containing 250mg of clarithromycin.

Medical Uses

Infections of respiratory tract, middle ear, soft tissue and skin. Also, Klaricid 500mg tablets are used in conjunction with omeprazole or lansoprazole to eliminate H. pylori in patients with duodenal ulcer.

Dosage

Adults, tablets and sachets, 250mg twice each day for 1 week; serious infections, 500mg twice each day for up to 2 weeks. Klaricid XL, 1 tablet each daywith food for 1 to 2 weeks; severe infections, 2 tablets with food, once each day. Injection, lg by intravenous infusion in 2 divided doses each day for 2 to 5 days. Elimination of H. pylori, 500mg twice each day with 1g of amoxycillin twice daily, and either 40mg of omeprazole once each day for 1 week, or 20mg of omeprazole once each day for 10 days, or 30mg of lansoprazole twice each day for 1 to 2 weeks. Children, use Klaricid Paediatric Suspension, aged under 1 year, 7.5mg per kg of body weight; aged 1 to 2 years, 62.5mg; aged 3 to 6 years, 125mg; aged 7 to 9 years, 187.5mg; aged 10 to 12 years, 250mg. All twice each day in divided doses.

Special Care

Pregnancy, breast-feeding, liver or kidney disease.

Possible Drug and Food Interactions

Anticoagulants taken by mouth, statins, astemizole, carbamazepine, theophylline, ritonavir, terfenadine, digoxin, cisapride, drugs metabolised by P450, ergot derivatives.

Known Side Effects

Gastro-intestinal upset, allergic responses, short-lived central nervous system effects, headache, skin rash, muscle and joint pains, numbness/tingling/'pins and needles' in fingers and toes, mouth inflammation, oral thrush, discolouration of teeth or tongue, inflammation of tongue, liver disorders, reversible loss of hearing. In rare cases, kidney dysfunction, prolongation of QT interval, low blood sugar levels, blood changes (leucopenia - low levels of white blood cells, thromnbocytopenia - low levels of blood platelets), pseudomembranous colitis.