Saskatchewan Health Authority logo
Antimicrobials
Clarithromycin

Clarithromycin

Medium
Moderate

Spectrum of Activity

General Spectrum of Activity
​

Dosing

General Information

  • CAP
  • Pertussis
  • URTI
  • H. pylorI and mycobacterial infections

Monitor QTc in patients with increased risk

  • Neutropenia
  • GI upset
  • Prolongation of QTc interval
  • Drug interactions

Recommend review of patient medications due to high frequency of significant interactions

  •  CYP450 interactions ++
  • Other QTc prolonging agents
  • Statins - increased rhabdo
  • CCBs - hypotension, AKI
  • Colchicine - increased bone marrow toxicity
  • Increased anticonvulsant levels
  • Increased tacrolimus levels

Antimicrobial class: Macrolide

Pregnancy category: C

Average serum half life: 5 hours

Biliary penetration: Therapeutic

CSF penetration: Poor

Lung penetration: Therapeutic

Urine penetration: Poor

Very high tissue penetration and concentration intracellularly means in vivo activity may not be predicted by in vitro testing