Apo-Clarithromycin general information

What is Apo-Clarithromycin used for?

Apo-Clarithromycin tablets 500mg are used to treat a variety of mild to moderate infections caused by certain susceptible types of bacteria in different areas of the body, including, respiratory tract infections like laryngitis, bronchitis and pharyngitis; skin and soft tissue infections like folliculitis and cellulitis. Apo-Clarithromycin 500 is also used to prevent opportunistic infection (bacteria that lie dormant until activated by low immunity) with Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex (MAC) in people with HIV. Apo-Clarithromycin tablets 500mg can be used in combination with other medication to help prevent peptic ulcers (duodenal and gastric) caused by infection with Helicobacter pylori.

How does Apo-Clarithromycin work?

Apo-Clarithromycin tablets 500mg contain clarithromycin, which is an antibiotic belonging to the macrolides group of antibiotics. Clarithromycin in Apo-Clarithromycin 500 prevents the spread of bacterial infection by blocking bacterial protein synthesis so that the bacteria cannot produce proteins that are needed for its survival. This action prevents the bacteria from dividing but does not kill them, although it does stop the growth of the bacteria. This relieves symptoms of the bacterial infection, which include inflammation and pain. Apo-Clarithromycin tablets 500mg do not work against viruses which use a different mechanism to grow and replicate.

What does Apo-Clarithromycin contain?

Apo-Clarithromycin tablets 500mg contain the active ingredient clarithromycin, an antibiotic belonging to the macrolides group of antibiotics that is used to treat susceptible bacterial infections.

Treating bacterial infection with Apo-Clarithromycin

Apo-Clarithromycin tablets 500mg contains clarithromycin, which is an antibiotic used to treat a variety of mild to moderate infections caused by certain susceptible types of bacteria in different areas of the body, including, respiratory tract infections like laryngitis, bronchitis and pharyngitis; also skin and soft tissue infections like folliculitis and cellulitis. Apo-Clarithromycin 500 is also used to prevent opportunistic infection (bacteria that lie dormant until activated by low immunity) with Mycobacterium Avium-Intracellulare complex (MAC) in people with HIV. Apo-Clarithromycin 500 can be used in combination with other medication to help prevent peptic ulcers (duodenal and gastric) caused by infection with Helicobacter pylori. Clarithromycin in Apo-Clarithromycin 500 prevents the spread of bacterial infection by blocking bacterial protein synthesis so that the bacteria cannot produce proteins that are needed for its survival. This action stops the growth of the bacteria and relieves symptoms of the bacterial infection, which include inflammation and pain.

Treating opportunistic bacterial infection in HIV with Apo-Clarithromycin

Apo-Clarithromycin tablets 500mg contain clarithromycin, an antibiotic that is used to treat mild to moderate infections caused by certain susceptible types of bacteria in different areas of the body. People with HIV are susceptible to opportunistic infection by bacteria that lie dormant until they become activated when immunity is low. Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) can cause infections in several organs and can lead to tuberculosis. Apo-Clarithromycin tablets 500mg, usually in conjunction with another antibiotic, are used to prevent opportunistic infection in people with HIV. Apo-Clarithromycin tablets 500mg tablets do not work against viruses as they use a different mechanism to grow and replicate.

Treating peptic ulcers with Apo-Clarithromycin

Apo-Clarithromycin tablets 500mg contain clarithromycin, an antibiotic that is used to treat mild to moderate infections caused by certain susceptible types of bacteria in different areas of the body as well as a specific bacterial infection that causes peptic ulcers. A common cause of peptic ulcers is infection of the stomach with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori and antibiotics can be used as part of a combination therapy with an acid lowering medication like omeprazole, to prevent the spread of these bacteria and allow the ulcer to heal.

What are the side effects of Apo-Clarithromycin?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Apo-Clarithromycin tablets 500mg are gastrointestinal tract symptoms which include: diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, cramping abdominal pain. Also change in taste, headache, tiredness and dizziness may also occur as well as oral thrush (white, furry, sore tongue and mouth) and vaginal thrush (sore and itchy vagina, vaginal discharge.

When should Apo-Clarithromycin not be used?

You should not use Apo-Clarithromycin tablets 500mg if you:

• are allergic to clarithromycin, erythromycin, any other macrolide antibiotic or any ingredients in Apo-Clarithromycin
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding, without discussion with your doctor
• have kidney or liver disease
• are taking medicines that interact with Apo-Clarithromycin, including: colchicine for gouty arthritis, the immunosuppressant cyclosporine, digoxin for heart failure, antacids like omeprazole for indigestion, anticonvulsants like carbamazepine and phenytoin, the antihistamines astemizole and terfenadine; zidovudine, ritonavir, efavirenz and atazanavir for HIV, the anti-infectives Rifampicin and Rifabutin, antiarrhythmics like quinidine and disopyramide, simvastatin for high cholesterol, theophylline for respiratory disease, ergotamine for migraines, sildenafil for erectile dysfunction, the antipsychotic pimozide, cisapride for reflux, anticoagulants like warfarin, benzodiazepines for sleep problems, tolterodine for urinary problems, antianxiety medication like alprazolam, vinblastine for cancer treatment, the corticosteriod methylprednisolone, triazolam for insomnia, cilostazol for poor circulation.

What medications interact with Apo-Clarithromycin?

Several medications interact with Apo-Clarithromycin tablets 500mg and should either not be taken while you are taking Apo-Clarithromycin or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that cause a serious reaction with Apo-Clarithromycin: colchicine for gouty arthritis, cisapride for reflux, the antipsychotic pimozide, ergotamine for migraines, the antihistamines astemizole and terfenadine
• Drugs that affect Apo-Clarithromycin: zidovudine, ritonavir, efavirenz and atazanavir for HIV, the anti-infectives Rifampicin and Rifabutin, antacids for indigestion (should be taken 1 or 2 hours after Apo-Clarithromycin)
• Drugs that are affected by Apo-Clarithromycin: the antiarrhythmics quinidine and disopyramide, colchicine for gouty arthritis, the immunosuppressant cyclosporin; digoxin for heart failure; antacids like omeprazole for indigestion, simvastatin for high cholesterol, for anticoagulants such as warfarin, sildenafil for erectile dysfunction, anticonvulsants carbamazepine and phenytoin, theophylline for asthma, tolterodine for urinary problems, antianxiety medication like alprazolam, colchicine for gout, the antifungal itraconazole, vinblastine for cancer treatment, the corticosteriod methylprednisolone, triazolam for insomnia, cilostazol for poor circulation.

How should Apo-Clarithromycin be taken?

You should take your Apo-Clarithromycin tablets 500mg with a glass of water with or without food twice a day at the same time each day for 5-14 days, depending on what you are being treated for and your doctor’s recommendations. You should continue to take your Apo-Clarithromycin tablets 500mg for as long as your doctor recommends and always finish your course of tablets even if you feel better, if not, the infection may not clear up completely.

How long should you take Apo-Clarithromycin?

You should continue to take your Apo-Clarithromycin tablets 500mg for as long as your doctor recommends and always finish your course of tablets even if you feel better, if not, the infection may not clear up completely.

Missed dose of Apo-Clarithromycin

If you miss a dose of Apo-Clarithromycin tablets 500mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose.

How should Apo-Clarithromycin be stored?

You should store your Apo-Clarithromycin tablets 500mg below 30°C in a cool dry place.