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Clarithromycin From £29.95
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Clarithromycin is available on prescription for more than one type of consultation.
Dental Infections
Chest Infections
Throat Infections
Sinusitis
Skin Complaints
Ear Infections
Heartburn (H. pylori)

Clarithromycin

Clarithromycin is a medicine that treats a wide variety of bacterial infections.

Can I buy Clarithromycin online?

The Online Clinic can prescribe Clarithromycin so long as it is appropriate to do so. Please complete one of the consultation forms to begin.

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Choose a consultation (cancel)
Clarithromycin is available on prescription for more than one type of consultation.
Dental Infections
Chest Infections
Throat Infections
Sinusitis
Skin Complaints
Ear Infections
Heartburn (H. pylori)

What is Clarithromycin?

Clarithromycin is one of the macrolide antibiotics, and is used to treat bacterial infections. These include infections such as of the chest (e.g., bronchitis, pneumonia), sinuses (i.e., sinusitis), throat (e.g., pharyngitis, tonsillitis), skin, and soft tissues, and due to Helicobacter pylori that is associated with duodenal ulcers.

Clarithromycin acts by binding to specific components within bacteria, which prevents protein synthesis and thus bacterial growth.

How to use Clarithromycin

Clarithromycin is usually taken as a tablet but an intravenous formulation is available for people with severe infections or who cannot swallow the tablets. In all cases, your doctor will tell you what preparation is best for you and how to take it. The tablets are swallowed with water. Generally, one 250mg tablet is taken twice daily (morning and night) for 6–14 days, although you may have to use a higher dose (500 mg) if your infection is severe. Treatment of Helicobacter pylori differs in that Clarithromycin tablets are used in combination with other medicines. For injections (which are prepared and given to you by a doctor), the medicine is a powder that is dissolved in sterile water before being administered into a vein over at least 1 hour. The dose is usually 0.5 g given twice a day for 2–5 days, after which you will be switched to tablets. The entire treatment course is no longer than 14 days. It is very important to finish the treatment course because the infection could come back.

If you take too many tablets, then get medical advice quickly. Take a forgotten tablet as soon as you can, unless you are near to the time of the next dose when you should just continue as instructed. Your doctor is unlikely to administer too much or too little medicine in the injection.

Who can use Clarithromycin?

Clarithromycin is prescribed to adults and to children aged 12 years and older. The effects on a baby are not known if Clarithromycin is used before or during pregnancy, or when breastfeeding; therefore, if applicable, women are advised to discuss these circumstances with their doctor before accepting treatment. Clarithromycin does not lower the protection afforded by oral contraceptives against pregnancy. Clarithromycin cannot be taken by people who are allergic to macrolide antibiotics, or have abnormal heart rhythm (e.g., atrial fibrillation), decreased blood potassium levels, liver and kidney disorders, or who frequently have fungal infections such as thrush.

While you should tell your doctor about all the medicines that you take, be particularly sure that you mention those used to treat migraine (e.g., ergotamine), allergy treatments (e.g., terfenadine, astemizole), stomach disorders (e.g., cisapride), high blood cholesterol levels (e.g., statins), and mental health conditions (e.g., pimozide, St John's wort). Attention must also be paid to various different medicines used for bacterial (e.g., aminoglycosides) and HIV (e.g., ritonavir, nevirapine) infections, heart and blood conditions (e.g., digoxin, warfarin, verapamil, cilostazol), epilepsy (e.g., carbamazepine), sedation (e.g., midazolam), breathing problems (e.g., theophylline), immune system modulators (e.g., methylprednisolone, tacrolimus, colchicine), indigestion and gastric ulcers (e.g., omeprazole), diabetes (e.g., insulin, pioglitazone), impotence (e.g., sildenafil), and overactive bladder (e.g., tolterodine).

Clarithromycin side effects

If any of the following signs and symptoms occur while using Clarithromycin then report them immediately to a medical professional: signs of an allergic response, rash, irritation and severe skin reactions (Stevens-Johnson syndrome, Henoch-Schonlein purpura), breathing difficulties, jaundice, changes in stool/urine colour, fever, and abdominal tenderness.

The most common side effects are headache, sleep difficulties, stomach upsets (e.g., nausea, vomiting, pain, indigestion, diarrhoea), changes in sense of smell/taste, changes in liver function, skin rash, and an increase in sweating. Injection sites may become painful and the blood vessels inflamed. Occasionally, some people experience fungal infection (thrush), other digestive problems (e.g., appetite loss, constipation, flatulence), dry mouth, mouth/tongue inflammation, tongue/teeth discolouration, anxiety, dizziness, sleepiness, tiredness, hearing problems, changes in concentrations of blood cells/constituents, and joint or muscle pain. Acne, purple spots, inflammation of the pancreas or kidneys, change in kidney function, confusion, hallucinations, depression, seizures, tingling feelings, and decreases in blood sugar concentration have been reported rarely. What must be remembered is that the vast majority of people suffer no side effects whatsoever.

Complete one of the free consultations to begin.

Free Online Assessment Quick and Without Obligation
Choose a consultation (cancel)
Clarithromycin is available on prescription for more than one type of consultation.
Dental Infections
Chest Infections
Throat Infections
Sinusitis
Skin Complaints
Ear Infections
Heartburn (H. pylori)
Reviewed by: Dr Loraine Haslam MBBS, DRCOG, DFSRH, LoC SDI, LoC IUT, MRCGP
GMC registration number: 4524038
Date: 6 February 2024
Next review: 5 February 2026
All UK registered doctors can have their registration checked on
The Medical Register at the GMC website.

Information Leaflet

Source and further information

Clarithromycin Reviews By Our Patients

  • Overall Rating
    ★★★★★
    Based on 22 reviews
  • ★★★★★
    Very efficient service, good communication back and forth and stress free. Delivery off tablets secure as tracked.
    C. D. - 04/02/22
  • ★★★★★
    I find this very effective with no side effects
    L. M. - 26/08/20
  • ★★★★★
    really good service, had infection in tooth and couldnt get a dentist appointment , was given antibiotics and have now had the tooth removed, and the infection has cleared
    J. M. - 17/10/21
  • ★☆☆☆☆
    Hate this antibiotic took all the skin off my lips tongue n throat was in absolute agony
    L. B. - 10/04/24
  • ★★★★★
    Worked very well
    S. S. - 04/12/23
  • ★★★★★
    does what it says
    H. H. - 23/11/23
  • ★★★★★
    excellent for skin breakout
    A. O. - 15/07/20
  • ★★★★★
    Fast service and cured the problem
    C. S. - 13/03/23
  • ★★★★★
    They reduced the pain, swelling and spread of redness. Very pleased
    J. C. - 07/11/22
  • ★★★★★
    Very effective at relieving sinusitis quickly with no side effects
    R. B. - 17/12/23
  • ★★★★★
    really effective antibiotic
    S. C. - 27/01/21
  • ★★★★★
    Always worked perfect
    R. L. - 24/06/22
  • ★★★★★
    Best antibiotic for dental infection I've had. Got rid of most of the infection quickly. Unfortunately 5 days looks not to have been enough as there is a slight infection still remaining. :(
    TheDukeUK - 21/11/20
  • ★★★★★
    started to feel better the next day. the young lady who contacted me to sort it all out, Louise, was absolutely amazing and a credit to her profession.
    Z. T. - 10/03/22
  • ★★★★★
    Very good service, everything was checked before I was prescribed medication. I have used this service before and had returned as was very happy with the service I received.
    J. H. - 10/04/21
 
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