Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.

You may take this medicine with meals or milk or on an empty stomach. However, clarithromycin extended release tablets should be taken with food.

If you are using the extended-release tablets:

  • Swallow the tablet whole. Do not break, crush, or chew it.
  • While taking the extended-release form of this medicine, a part of the tablet may pass into your stools. This is normal and is nothing to worry about.

Measure the oral liquid with a marked measuring spoon, syringe, or cup. The average household teaspoon may not hold the right amount of liquid. Shake the bottle well before each use.

If you are taking clarithromycin and zidovudine, these medicines should be taken at least 2 hours apart.

Keep using this medicine for the full time of treatment, even if you or your child begin to feel better after the first few doses. Your infection may not clear up if you stop using the medicine too soon.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For oral dosage form (extended-release tablets):
    • For bacterial infections:
      • Adults—1000 milligrams (mg) once a day for 7 to 14 days.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For community-acquired pneumonia:
      • Adults—1000 milligrams (mg) once a day for 7 days.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For oral dosage forms (suspension and tablets):
    • For bacterial infections:
      • Adults—250 to 500 milligrams (mg) every 12 hours for 7 to 14 days.
      • Children 6 months of age and older—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is usually 7.5 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight every 12 hours for 10 days.
      • Infants younger than 6 months of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For community-acquired pneumonia:
      • Adults—250 milligrams (mg) every 12 hours for 7 to 14 days.
      • Children 6 months of age and older—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor.
      • Infants younger than 6 months of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For prevention or treatment of Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection:
      • Adults—500 milligrams (mg) 2 times a day.
      • Children 20 months of age and older—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is usually 7.5 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight, up to 500 mg, 2 times a day.
      • Children younger than 20 months of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For treatment of ulcers associated with H. pylori:
      • Adults—500 milligrams (mg) every 8 hours for 14 days in combination with omeprazole, 500 mg every 12 hours in combination with amoxicillin and lansoprazole for 10 or 14 days, or 500 mg every 12 hours in combination with amoxicillin and omeprazole for 10 days.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Do not refrigerate or freeze the oral liquid. Throw away any unused mixed medicine after 14 days.

Portions of this document last updated: April 01, 2024

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