Claribid 250 Mg Tablet (Clarithromycin)

Description

Introduction

Claribid 250 Mg Tablet is an oral tablet identified as containing 250 mg of clarithromycin. Clarithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic used for certain bacterial infections. Whether it is appropriate depends on the infection, the bacteria involved, a person’s medical history and their other medicines.

The product information identifies bacterial infections as its general indication. It does not establish which specific infections this product is approved to treat in Australia. Ask a healthcare professional for product-specific guidance.

What Is It?

Clarithromycin is a prescription antibiotic. This product is identified as a 250 mg tablet, a form taken by mouth. The stated strength describes the amount of active ingredient in each tablet; it does not determine how much any individual should take.

Antibiotics act against bacteria, not viruses. Claribid will not treat a cold or influenza. A healthcare professional may assess symptoms and, where needed, arrange tests before choosing an antibiotic.

How Does It Work?

Clarithromycin interferes with the production of proteins that bacteria need to grow. This limits the growth of susceptible bacteria and helps the body control the infection.

Its effect depends on the type of bacterium and whether that bacterium is susceptible to clarithromycin. Bacterial resistance can reduce its effectiveness. A healthcare professional selects treatment using the diagnosis and other relevant clinical information.

Common Uses

Clarithromycin is used for selected bacterial respiratory tract infections, including some chest, throat and sinus infections. It is also used for certain skin and soft tissue infections and ear infections. These are uses of clarithromycin generally; suitability for a particular infection must be assessed.

Clarithromycin may also be part of a combination treatment for Helicobacter pylori infection associated with ulcers. It is not used alone for that purpose. Treatment selection can depend on antibiotic resistance and the medicines included in the regimen. Ask a healthcare professional which uses apply to this product.

Available Strengths

This family is available in 250 mg, 500 mg.

Key Features

• Contains clarithromycin, a macrolide antibiotic.
• Stated strength is 250 mg of clarithromycin per tablet.
• Provided as an oral tablet.
• Limits the growth of bacteria susceptible to clarithromycin.
• Requires a check of medical history and other medicines because important precautions and interactions apply.

Benefits

• Provides an oral form of clarithromycin when a healthcare professional selects this antibiotic for a susceptible bacterial infection.
• Clarithromycin can treat certain respiratory, skin and ear infections when the diagnosis and bacterial susceptibility support its use.
• It may contribute to a combination regimen for Helicobacter pylori when that regimen is appropriate.
• The stated 250 mg strength gives a prescriber a defined tablet strength to consider when planning treatment.

These characteristics do not mean clarithromycin is effective for every infection. The expected benefit depends on the infection and the treatment plan.

Possible Side Effects

• Common effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach discomfort and indigestion.
• Headache, changes in taste and difficulty sleeping may also occur.
• Severe or persistent diarrhoea, particularly with blood or mucus, needs prompt medical assessment.
• Swelling of the face or throat, breathing difficulty, or a widespread severe rash may indicate a serious allergic reaction and need urgent care.
• A fast or irregular heartbeat, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, or severe abdominal pain also needs urgent assessment.

Not everyone experiences side effects, and this list is incomplete. A doctor or pharmacist can assess symptoms that occur during or after treatment.

Precautions

• Tell a healthcare professional about any previous allergic reaction to clarithromycin or another antibiotic.
• Discuss heart problems, including an irregular heartbeat, before treatment.
• Low blood potassium or magnesium should be mentioned because it may increase heart rhythm risks.
• Kidney or liver problems may affect treatment decisions.
• Clarithromycin can worsen symptoms of myasthenia gravis.
• Pregnancy, plans for pregnancy and breastfeeding should be discussed before use.

Additional Precautions

• Tell a healthcare professional if troublesome diarrhoea has occurred with antibiotics before, or develops during or after this treatment.
• Dizziness can occur. Driving or operating machinery should be avoided if it affects the ability to do so safely.
• Report symptoms that worsen or fail to improve as expected so the diagnosis and treatment can be reviewed.
• Keep an up-to-date list of prescription medicines, non-prescription medicines and supplements for interaction checks.
• Do not share prescribed antibiotics with another person, even if their symptoms seem similar.

Storage Instructions

• Follow the storage directions on the supplied pack and medicine label.
• Keep the tablets out of the sight and reach of children.
• Check the expiry date before use.
• Ask a pharmacist how to dispose of expired or unwanted tablets.

Specific temperature or moisture requirements for this product have not been verified. Ask a pharmacist if the pack instructions are unclear.

How to Take

• Use the tablets as directed by the prescribing healthcare professional and the supplied medicine label.
• Take the medicine by mouth according to those directions.
• Complete the prescribed course unless a healthcare professional advises a change, even if symptoms improve.
• For a missed dose, check the supplied instructions or ask a pharmacist. Do not take a double dose to make up for it.
• Ask a pharmacist before crushing, splitting or otherwise changing how a tablet is taken.

The amount and duration depend on the infection and individual circumstances. Ask a healthcare professional for product-specific guidance.

Drug Interactions

• Some cholesterol-lowering medicines, including simvastatin and atorvastatin, can interact with clarithromycin.
• Colchicine, used for gout, requires an interaction check.
• Heart medicines such as digoxin, ivabradine and ranolazine may interact.
• Warfarin and ticagrelor also require review before use with clarithromycin.
• Some epilepsy medicines, theophylline, midazolam and domperidone may cause problems when combined with it.
• Herbal products, including St John’s wort, should be included in the medicine review.

Some combinations may need to be avoided or monitored. This list is incomplete; a doctor or pharmacist should review all medicines and supplements.

Why Choose This Product?

• It provides clarithromycin in a stated 250 mg oral tablet strength.
• Clarithromycin has established uses for selected susceptible bacterial infections.
• A tablet may fit a treatment plan when a prescriber chooses oral clarithromycin.

The appropriate antibiotic depends on the infection, likely susceptibility, medical history and interaction risks. Ask a healthcare professional whether this product fits the intended treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the active ingredient?

The stated active ingredient is clarithromycin, at 250 mg per tablet.

Is Claribid an antibiotic?

Yes. Clarithromycin belongs to the macrolide group of antibiotics.

Does it treat colds or influenza?

No. These illnesses are caused by viruses, which clarithromycin does not treat.

Which infections can clarithromycin treat?

It is used for selected susceptible bacterial respiratory, skin and ear infections. A healthcare professional must confirm whether it is appropriate for a particular infection.

Can it be used for Helicobacter pylori?

Clarithromycin may be included in a combination treatment for Helicobacter pylori. It is not used alone for this purpose.

What side effects are common?

Nausea, diarrhoea and stomach discomfort are common. Other effects can occur.

Can it interact with other medicines?

Yes. Interactions include some statins, colchicine and heart medicines. A pharmacist or doctor should review the full medicine list.

What if a dose is missed?

Follow the supplied instructions or ask a pharmacist. Do not take a double dose to compensate for one that was missed.

Can it be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding?

Discuss pregnancy or breastfeeding with a healthcare professional before use so the benefits and risks can be assessed.

How should the tablets be stored?

Follow the supplied pack directions, keep the tablets away from children and check the expiry date.

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