Clarithromycin indications

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

List of indications

Adults

• Pharyngitis/tonsillitis
• Acute maxillary sinusitis
• Acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis
• Community-acquired pneumonia
• Uncomplicated skin/skin structure infections
• Disseminated mycobacterial infections
• Triple therapy
• Dual therapy for active duodenal ulcer

Children

Adults (BIAXIN XL)

Prophylaxis

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Adults

Pharyngitis/tonsillitis

Pharyngitis/Tonsillitis due to Streptococcus pyogenes (The usual drug of choice in the treatment and prevention of streptococcal infections and the prophylaxis of rheumatic fever is penicillin administered by either the intramuscular or the oral route. Clarithromycin is generally effective in the eradication of S. pyogenes from the nasopharynx; however, data establishing the efficacy of Clarithromycin in the subsequent prevention of rheumatic fever are not available at present.) Return to top

Acute maxillary sinusitis

Acute maxillary sinusitis due to Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, or Streptococcus pneumoniae Return to top

Acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis

Acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis due to Haemophilus influenzae, Haemophilus parainfluenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, or Streptococcus pneumoniae Return to top

Community-acquired pneumonia

Community-Acquired Pneumonia due to Haemophilus influenzae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, or Chlamydia pneumoniae (TWAR) Return to top

Uncomplicated skin/skin structure infections

Uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections due to Staphylococcus aureus, or Streptococcus pyogenes (Abscesses usually require surgical drainage.) Return to top

Disseminated mycobacterial infections

Disseminated mycobacterial infections due to Mycobacterium avium, or Mycobacterium intracellulare Return to top

Triple therapy

Clarithromycin tablets in combination with amoxicillin and lansoprazole or omeprazole delayed-release capsules, as triple therapy, are indicated for the treatment of patients with H. pylori infection and duodenal ulcer disease (active or five-year history of duodenal ulcer) to eradicate H. pylori. Return to top

Dual therapy for active duodenal ulcer

Clarithromycin tablets in combination with omeprazole capsules or ranitidine bismuth citrate tablets are also indicated for the treatment of patients with an active duodenal ulcer associated with H. pylori infection. However, regimens which contain Clarithromycin as the single antimicrobial agent are more likely to be associated with the development of Clarithromycin resistance among patients who fail therapy. Clarithromycin-containing regimens should not be used in patients with known or suspected Clarithromycin resistant isolates because the efficacy of treatment is reduced in this setting.
In patients who fail therapy, susceptibility testing should be done if possible. If resistance to Clarithromycin is demonstrated, a non-Clarithromycin-containing therapy is recommended. The eradication of H. pylori has been demonstrated to reduce the risk of duodenal ulcer recurrence. Return to top

Children

• Pharyngitis/Tonsillitis due to Streptococcus pyogenes
• Community-Acquired Pneumonia due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, or Chlamydia pneumoniae (TWAR)
• Acute maxillary sinusitis due to Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, or Streptococcus pneumoniae
• Acute otitis media due to Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis,or Streptococcus pneumoniae
• Uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections due to Staphylococcus aureus, or Streptococcus pyogenes (Abscesses usually require surgical drainage.)
• Disseminated mycobacterial infections due to Mycobacterium avium, or Mycobacterium intracellulare

Return to top

Adults (BIAXIN XL)

BIAXIN XL Filmtab (clarithromycin extended-release tablets) are indicated for the treatment of adults with mild to moderate infection caused by susceptible strains of the designated microorganisms in the conditions listed below:

• Acute maxillary sinusitis due to Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, or Streptococcus pneumoniae
• Acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis due to Haemophilus influenzae, Haemophilus parainfluenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, or Streptococcus pneumoniae
• Community-Acquired Pneumonia due to Haemophilus influenzae, Haemophilus parainfluenzae , Moraxella catarrhalis, Streptococcus pneumoniae , Chlamydia pneumoniae (TWAR), or Mycoplasma pneumoniae

THE EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF BIAXIN XL IN TREATING OTHER INFECTIONS FOR WHICH OTHER FORMULATIONS OF BIAXIN ARE APPROVED HAVE NOT BEEN ESTABLISHED. Return to top

Prophylaxis

Clarithromycin tablets are indicated for the prevention of disseminated Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) disease in patients with advanced HIV infection.
To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of Clarithromycin tablets and other antibacterial drugs, Clarithromycin tablets should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria. When culture and susceptibility information are available, they should be considered in selecting or modifying antibacterial therapy. In the absence of such data, local epidemiology and susceptibility patterns may contribute to the empiric selection of therapy. Return to top

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The content of this page is taken from the FDA package insert for this drug and should not be edited.