kla-RITH-roe-mye-sin 
Spectrum:
Absorption: Rapidly absorbed (50%) after oral administration.
Distribution: Widely distributed; tissue levels may exceed those in serum.
Protein Binding: 65–70%.
Metabolism/Excretion: 10–15% converted by the liver to 14-hydroxyclarithromycin, which has anti-infective activity; 20–30% excreted unchanged in urine. Metabolized by and also inhibits the CYP3A enzyme system.
Half-life: Dose-dependent and prolonged with renal dysfunction 250-mg dose — 3–4 hr; 500-mg dose — 5–7 hr.
Contraindicated in:
Use Cautiously in:
CV: TORSADES DE POINTES, QT interval prolongation.
Derm: ACUTE GENERALIZED EXANTHEMATOUS PUSTULOSIS, DRUG RASH WITH EOSINOPHILIA AND SYSTEMIC SYMPTOMS (DRESS), STEVENS-JOHNSON SYNDROME, TOXIC EPIDERMAL NECROLYSIS, pruritus, rash.
GI: HEPATOTOXICITY, CLOSTRIDIOIDES DIFFICILE-ASSOCIATED DIARRHEA (CDAD), abdominal pain/discomfort, abnormal taste, diarrhea, dyspepsia, nausea.
Neuro: headache.
Misc: HYPERSENSITIVITY REACTIONS (INCLUDING ANAPHYLAXIS AND ANGIOEDEMA).
Drug-Drug:
6 mo): Most infections — 15 mg/kg/day divided every 12 hr for 7–14 days (up to 500 mg/dose for MAC). Endocarditis prophylaxis — 15 mg/kg 1 hr before procedure.Renal Impairment
Biaxin, Biaxin XL
Therapeutic Classification: agents for atypical mycobacterium, anti-infectives, antiulcer agents
Pharmacologic Classification: macrolides
(Generic available)
NDC Code*