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Biaxin


What is Biaxin?

Biaxin (clarithromycin) is a macrolide antibiotic. Clarithromycin fights bacteria in your body.

Biaxin is used to treat many different types of bacterial infections affecting the skin and respiratory system. It is also used together with other medicines to treat stomach ulcers caused by Helicobacter pylori.

Biaxin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.


Important information about Biaxin

Take this Biaxin for the full prescribed length of time. Biaxin is usually given for 7 to 14 days (or longer when treating stomach ulcer). Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses may also increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to antibiotics. Biaxin will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

You should not use this medicine if you have ever had jaundice or liver problems caused by taking Biaxin, or if you have liver or kidney disease and are also taking colchicine (Colcrys). Do not use Biaxin if you are also using any of the drugs listed below. They can interact with Biaxin and cause life-threatening heart rhythm disorders:
  • cisapride (Propulsid);
  • pimozide (Orap); or
  • ergot medicine such as ergotamine (Ergomar, Ergostat, Cafergot, Ercaf, Wigraine), or dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal Nasal Spray).
Before taking Biaxin

Do not use Biaxin if you are allergic to clarithromycin or to similar medicines such as azithromycin (Zithromax), erythromycin (E.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin, Pediazole), or telithromycin (Ketek). You should not use this medicine if you have a history of jaundice or liver problems caused by taking clarithromycin, or if you have liver or kidney disease and are also taking colchicine (Colcrys). Do not use Biaxin if you are also using any of the drugs listed below. They can interact with clarithromycin and cause life-threatening heart rhythm disorders:
  • cisapride (Propulsid);
  • pimozide (Orap); or
  • ergot medicine such as ergotamine (Ergomar, Ergostat, Cafergot, Ercaf, Wigraine), or dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal Nasal Spray).
To make sure you can safely take Biaxin, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
  • liver disease;
  • kidney disease;
  • myasthenia gravis;
  • porphyria; or
  • a personal or family history of Long QT syndrome.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Biaxin will harm an unborn baby. Before you take Biaxin, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication. It is not known whether clarithromycin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not give Biaxin to a child younger than 6 months of age.


How should I take Biaxin?

Take Biaxin exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

You may take Biaxin tablets and oral suspension (liquid) with or without food.

Clarithromycin extended-release tablets (Biaxin XL) should be taken with food. Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release tablet. Swallow it whole. Breaking the pill may cause too much of the drug to be released at one time. Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose. Measure the liquid with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one. Take this medicine for the full prescribed length of time. Biaxin is usually given for 7 to 14 days (or longer when treating stomach ulcer). Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses may also increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to antibiotics. Biaxin will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

Store Biaxin at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not keep the oral liquid in a refrigerator.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

What should I avoid while taking Biaxin?

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, stop taking Biaxin and call your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.


Biaxin side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Biaxin: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
  • uneven heartbeats, chest pain, shortness of breath;
  • diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
  • problems with your hearing; or
  • severe skin reaction - fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.
Biaxin may also cause severe liver symptoms. Stop taking Biaxin and call your doctor at once if you have any of these liver symptoms:
  • low fever, itching;
  • nausea, upper stomach pain, loss of appetite;
  • dark urine, clay colored stools; or
  • jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Less serious Biaxin side effects may include:
  • upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea;
  • unusual or unpleasant taste in your mouth;
  • tooth discoloration;
  • headache;
  • mild itching or rash; or
  • vaginal itching or discharge.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.


What other drugs will affect Biaxin?

Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:
  • a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven);
  • colchicine (Colcrys);
  • itraconazole (Sporanox);
  • omeprazole (Prilosec);
  • ranitidine bismuth citrate (Tritec);
  • sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), or vardenafil (Levitra);
  • theophylline (Elixophyllin, Theo-24, Theochron, Uniphyl);
  • tolterodine (Detrol);
  • any other antibiotic, especially rifabutin (Mycobutin) or rifampin (Rifater, Rifadin, Rifamate);
  • cholesterol-lowering medicines such as atorvastatin (Lipitor, Caduet), lovastatin (Mevacor, Altoprev, Advicor), simvastatin (Zocor, Simcor, Vytorin), and others;
  • drugs that weaken your immune system, such as cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune, Gengraf), sirolimus (Rapamune), tacrolimus (Prograf), or steroids;
  • heart medication such as amlodipine (Norvasc, Caduet, Exforge, Lotrel, Tekamlo, Tribenzor, Twynsta, Amturnide), digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxicaps, Lanoxin), diltiazem (Cartia, Cardizem), disopyramide (Norpace), quinidine (Quin-G), verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan), and others;
  • HIV medicines such as atazanavir (Reyataz), efavirenz (Sustiva, Atripla), nevirapine (Viramune), ritonavir (Norvir, Kaletra), saquinavir (Invirase), or zidovudine (Retrovir);
  • a sedative such as alprazolam (Xanax), midazolam (Versed), or triazolam (Halcion); or
  • seizure medications such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Equetro, Tegretol), phenytoin (Dilantin), and valproic acid (Depakote, Depakene).
This list is not complete and there are many other drugs that can interact with Biaxin. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to any healthcare provider who treats you.



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