Description
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Clarithromycin is an antibiotic that may be prescribed when symptoms suggest a bacterial throat infection and antibiotic treatment is considered appropriate. Many sore throats and episodes of tonsillitis improve without antibiotics, particularly when symptoms are caused by viral infections. However, in some situations, a bacterial infection may be contributing to symptoms and antibiotic treatment may be beneficial following clinical assessment.
At PharmaBee, all treatment recommendations are made by qualified independent prescribers following assessment of your symptoms, medical history and individual circumstances. Not everyone who completes a consultation will require antibiotics, and a medicine will only be recommended where it is considered clinically appropriate.
What Is Clarithromycin?
Clarithromycin is an antibiotic that belongs to a group of medicines known as macrolide antibiotics. It has been used for many years to treat a range of bacterial infections and remains an important treatment option for certain conditions when antibiotic therapy is considered appropriate. Antibiotics work differently from treatments such as pain relief medicines, medicated throat sprays or lozenges. Rather than reducing symptoms directly, they work by targeting susceptible bacteria that may be causing or contributing to an infection. Because antibiotics only work against bacteria, they are not effective against viral infections such as the common cold, flu or many sore throats.
How Does Clarithromycin Work?
Clarithromycin works by interfering with the ability of susceptible bacteria to produce proteins that are essential for their growth and survival. This helps stop the bacteria from multiplying and allows the body’s immune system to clear the infection. As the infection begins to improve, symptoms may gradually start to settle. However, antibiotics do not usually provide immediate symptom relief. Even when an antibiotic is appropriate, it may take several days before symptoms begin to improve. For many people, self-care measures such as rest, hydration, pain relief and symptom management remain important alongside any prescribed treatment.
What Is Clarithromycin Used For?
Clarithromycin is used to treat certain bacterial infections where the bacteria involved are expected to respond to treatment. It is commonly prescribed for infections affecting areas such as the respiratory tract, throat, chest, skin and soft tissues when clinically appropriate. For some patients experiencing sore throat or tonsillitis symptoms, a prescriber may determine that a bacterial infection is contributing to the illness and that antibiotic treatment may be beneficial. Treatment decisions are always made on an individual basis.
Why Might Clarithromycin Be Recommended?
A prescriber may consider clarithromycin appropriate when symptoms and clinical assessment suggest that a bacterial infection could be contributing to the illness. Clarithromycin may also be considered when penicillin antibiotics are not suitable. Factors that may be considered include how long symptoms have been present, whether symptoms are worsening, whether symptoms improved before becoming worse again, the severity of symptoms, relevant medical history, previous treatment attempts, and allergies and medicine suitability. The decision to prescribe an antibiotic is based on clinical need rather than a single symptom or patient expectation.
How To Take Clarithromycin
Clarithromycin should always be taken exactly as directed by your prescriber. For bacterial tonsillitis, treatment is commonly taken twice daily for a defined treatment period. Clarithromycin tablets are usually swallowed whole with water. Unlike some antibiotics, clarithromycin can generally be taken with or without food. Because clarithromycin can interact with some medicines, it is important to tell your prescriber about all medicines you currently take. Try to take your doses at evenly spaced intervals throughout the day where possible.
How Long Does Clarithromycin Take To Work?
Antibiotics do not usually provide immediate symptom relief. If a bacterial infection is contributing to your symptoms and the antibiotic is effective against the bacteria involved, some people begin to notice improvement within a few days of starting treatment. However, recovery varies between individuals. Even if symptoms begin to improve, it is normal for some throat discomfort to continue for several days and supportive measures such as rest, hydration and appropriate symptom relief remain important during recovery.
What If I Miss A Dose?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is nearly time for your next dose. If your next dose is due soon, skip the missed dose and continue taking your medicine at the usual time. Do not take two doses together or take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose. If you are unsure what to do after missing a dose, seek advice from a pharmacist or another healthcare professional.
When Might Clarithromycin Not Be Suitable?
Clarithromycin may not be suitable for people who have a known allergy to clarithromycin or other macrolide antibiotics, take certain medicines that may interact with clarithromycin, have certain heart conditions or a history of abnormal heart rhythms, have significant liver problems, or have symptoms that suggest a different diagnosis or a condition requiring urgent medical attention.
Pregnancy And Breastfeeding
If you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding, it is important to tell your prescriber during your consultation so that the most appropriate treatment options can be considered. Clarithromycin is not always the preferred antibiotic during pregnancy and treatment decisions require careful consideration of the potential benefits and risks. Our prescribers will consider your symptoms, stage of pregnancy, medical history and individual circumstances when making treatment recommendations.
Medicines And Interactions
Clarithromycin can interact with a number of medicines. For this reason, it is important to provide an accurate and up-to-date list of all medicines you currently take, including prescription medicines, pharmacy medicines, herbal remedies, vitamins and supplements. Examples of medicines that may require additional review include certain:
- Cholesterol-lowering medicines (statins)
- Anticoagulants (blood-thinning medicines)
- Heart medicines
- Medicines used to treat heart rhythm problems
- Epilepsy medicines
- Medicines used to treat migraine
This is not a complete list of potential interactions. Our prescribers review your medication history as part of every consultation to help ensure treatment is appropriate and safe.
SIDE EFFECTS
Possible Side Effects
Like all medicines, clarithromycin can cause side effects, although not everybody experiences them. Many people take clarithromycin without significant problems. Some side effects that may occur include:
- Feeling sick (nausea)
- Being sick (vomiting)
- Diarrhoea
- Stomach discomfort
- Indigestion
- Headache
- Changes in taste or a metallic taste in the mouth
Some people notice a temporary metallic or unusual taste in the mouth while taking clarithromycin. Although this can be unpleasant, it usually resolves after treatment has finished. These side effects are often mild and may improve as treatment continues.
If you develop severe abdominal pain, yellowing of the skin or eyes, severe diarrhoea, or any other symptoms that concern you, seek medical advice promptly. Always read the Patient Information Leaflet supplied with your medicine.
Allergic Reactions
Clarithromycin should not be used by people with a known allergy to clarithromycin, other macrolide antibiotics or any ingredient contained within the medicine. An allergic reaction can sometimes occur after taking antibiotics. Symptoms may include:
- A skin rash
- Itching
- Swelling
- Wheezing
- Difficulty breathing
- Feeling faint or dizzy
Severe allergic reactions are uncommon but can be serious and require urgent medical attention. You should always tell your prescriber about any previous allergic reactions to medicines. If you develop symptoms suggestive of an allergic reaction after taking clarithromycin, seek urgent medical advice immediately.
When To Seek Urgent Medical Attention
Seek urgent medical advice if you develop symptoms such as severe or persistent diarrhoea, yellowing of the skin or eyes, severe abdominal pain, palpitations, fainting, or any symptoms that concern you whilst taking treatment.
Seek urgent medical advice if you experience difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing saliva or fluids, severe swelling affecting the throat or neck, significant difficulty opening your mouth, severe one-sided throat pain, a muffled or “hot potato” voice, severe dehydration, confusion or changes in consciousness, or symptoms of a severe allergic reaction. Severe allergic reactions can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention.
FAQ
Will Clarithromycin Cure My Sore Throat?
Not necessarily. Many sore throats are caused by viral infections and antibiotics do not treat viral illnesses. If a bacterial infection is contributing to your symptoms and treatment is considered appropriate, clarithromycin may help your body clear the infection. However, recovery varies between individuals and symptom improvement is often gradual rather than immediate.
Can I Drink Alcohol While Taking Clarithromycin?
There is no specific interaction between clarithromycin and alcohol. However, if you are feeling unwell, have a fever or are recovering from an infection, some people may prefer to avoid alcohol until they are feeling better.
Can I Take Painkillers With Clarithromycin?
Many people can take medicines such as paracetamol alongside clarithromycin. Pain relief medicines may help manage symptoms such as throat pain, discomfort when swallowing and fever while your body recovers from infection. However, not all medicines are suitable for everyone. Your medical history, current medicines and individual circumstances should always be considered. If you are unsure whether a medicine is suitable for you, seek advice from a pharmacist or another healthcare professional.
What If My Symptoms Do Not Improve?
If your symptoms fail to improve as expected, worsen significantly or new symptoms develop, seek further medical advice. Additional assessment may sometimes be required, even after treatment has been recommended.
Can I Stop Taking Treatment Once I Feel Better?
Take your medicine exactly as prescribed. If you have concerns about your treatment or are considering stopping treatment early, seek advice from a healthcare professional before making any changes.
Why Was I Not Offered An Antibiotic?
Not all sore throats require antibiotics. Many sore throats improve without antibiotic treatment, particularly when symptoms are caused by viral infections. Treatment recommendations are based on clinical need rather than patient expectation. In some situations, self-care measures, symptom management advice or further assessment may be the most appropriate recommendation.
