Clarithromycin is available as a powder in vials containing 500 mg of clarithromycin with lactobionic acid.486; 501 Sodium hydroxide may have been added to adjust pH.501 Reconstitute each vial with 10 mL of sterile water for injection to yield a solution containing clarithromycin 50 mg/mL.486; 501 Shake to dissolve the powder.486 Only sterile water for injection should be used; other diluents may cause precipitation during reconstitution.486; 501 Do not reconstitute with diluents containing preservatives or inorganic salts.486; 501 The reconstituted solution must be diluted in a compatible infusion solution before use.486; 501
Trade Name(s)
Klacid, Klaricid, Zeclar
Clarithromycin is administered by intravenous infusion after dilution in an appropriate infusion solution.486; 501 It should not be given by intravenous bolus or intramuscular injection.486; 501 The reconstituted drug solution (500 mg) is added to 250 mL of compatible infusion solution yielding a 2-mg/mL final solution.486; 501 The final diluted solution is administered by intravenous infusion over 60 minutes into one of the larger proximal veins.486; 501
Intact containers of the white to off-white powder should be stored at or below 25486 or 30°C.501 Reconstituted solutions are stable for 24 hours at 5 to 25°C486 or 15 to 25°C,501 or for 48 hours if stored at 5°C.501
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