Pronunciation: kla-RITH-roe-MYE-sin
Generic Name: Clarithromycin
Brand Name: Biaxin
Biaxin Suspension is used for:
Treating infections caused by certain bacteria.
Biaxin Suspension is a macrolide antibiotic. It works by stopping the growth of or killing sensitive bacteria by reducing the production of important proteins needed by the bacteria to survive.
Do NOT use Biaxin Suspension if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Biaxin Suspension or to any other macrolide (eg, erythromycin)
- you have had liver problems or yellowing of the skin or eyes caused by previous use of Biaxin Suspension
- you are taking alfuzosin, astemizole, cabazitaxel, cisapride, conivaptan, diltiazem, docetaxel, dofetilide, dronedarone, eletriptan, an ergot alkaloid (eg, dihydroergotamine, ergotamine), lovastatin, lurasidone, nilotinib, pimozide, propafenone, quinupristin/dalfopristin, ranolazine, romidepsin, salmeterol, silodosin, simvastatin, tamsulosin, terfenadine, tetrabenazine, ticagrelor, tolvaptan, or toremifene
- you have kidney or liver problems and you are also taking colchicine
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Biaxin Suspension:
Some medical conditions may interact with Biaxin Suspension. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have a certain blood disorder (eg, porphyria), kidney problems, liver problems, or myasthenia gravis
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Biaxin Suspension. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Many prescription and nonprescription medicines (eg, used for allergies, anxiety, asthma or other breathing problems, blood thinning, cancer, decreased blood clot formation, diabetes, enlarged prostate, erectile dysfunction, gout, heart problems, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high prolactin levels, HIV, immune system suppression, infections, inflammation, irregular heartbeat, malaria, mental or mood problems, migraines, nausea and vomiting, pain, parathyroid problems, pulmonary arterial hypertension [PAH], overactive bladder, seizures, sleep, stomach or bowel problems, Tourette syndrome, and other conditions), multivitamin products, and herbal or dietary supplements (eg, herbal teas, coenzyme Q10, garlic, ginseng, ginkgo, St. John's wort) may interact with Biaxin Suspension, increasing the risk of side effects
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Biaxin Suspension may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Biaxin Suspension:
Use Biaxin Suspension as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Take Biaxin Suspension by mouth with or without food.
- Shake well before each use. Use a measuring device marked for medicine dosing. Ask your pharmacist for help if you are unsure of how to measure your dose.
- To completely rinse all of the medicine from your mouth, follow each dose with water or food.
- If you are also taking zidovudine, do not take it within 2 hours before or after Biaxin Suspension.
- Biaxin Suspension works best if it is taken at the same time(s) each day.
- To clear up your infection completely, take Biaxin Suspension for the full course of treatment. Keep taking it even if you feel better in a few days.
- Do not miss any doses. If you miss a dose of Biaxin Suspension, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Biaxin Suspension.
Important safety information:
- Be sure to use Biaxin Suspension for the full course of treatment. If you do not, the medicine may not clear up your infection completely. The bacteria could also become less sensitive to this or other medicines. This could make the infection harder to treat in the future.
- Biaxin Suspension only works against bacteria; it does not treat viral infections (eg, the common cold).
- Long-term or repeated use of Biaxin Suspension may cause a second infection. Tell your doctor if signs of a second infection occur. Your medicine may need to be changed to treat this.
- Mild diarrhea is common with antibiotic use. However, a more serious form of diarrhea (pseudomembranous colitis) may rarely occur. This may develop while you use the antibiotic or within several months after you stop using it. Contact your doctor right away if stomach pain or cramps, severe diarrhea, or bloody stools occur. Do not treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor.
- Severe and sometimes fatal liver problems have been reported with Biaxin Suspension. This has usually been reversible when the medicine is stopped. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor. Tell your doctor right away if you experience symptoms of liver problems (eg, yellowing of the skin or eyes; dark urine; pale stools; severe or persistent nausea, loss of appetite, or stomach pain; unusual tiredness).
- Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Biaxin Suspension before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
- Diabetes patients - Biaxin Suspension may rarely affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
- There have been reports of tooth discoloration with the use of Biaxin Suspension. This has usually been reversible with a dental cleaning.
- There have been reports of hearing loss with Biaxin Suspension, usually in elderly women. This has usually been reversible. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.
- Caution is advised when using Biaxin Suspension in CHILDREN; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially diarrhea and vomiting.
- Biaxin Suspension should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 6 months old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Biaxin Suspension has been shown to cause harm to the fetus. Biaxin Suspension is not recommended for use during pregnancy except when no other antibiotics can be used. If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Biaxin Suspension while you are pregnant. It is not known if Biaxin Suspension is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Biaxin Suspension, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
Possible side effects of Biaxin Suspension:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Abnormal taste; diarrhea; headache; indigestion; nausea; stomach discomfort; vomiting.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bloody stools; confusion; decreased urination; depression; dizziness; emotional or mood changes; fast or irregular heartbeat; hallucinations; loss of taste or sense of smell; muscle weakness; nightmares; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; seizures; severe diarrhea; severe stomach pain/cramps; symptoms of liver problems (eg, yellowing of the skin or eyes; dark urine; pale stools; severe or persistent nausea, loss of appetite, or stomach pain; unusual tiredness); tremor; trouble sleeping.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Biaxin side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include diarrhea; nausea; stomach pain; vomiting.
Proper storage of Biaxin Suspension:
Store Biaxin Suspension at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C), in a tightly closed container. Do not store in the refrigerator. Use within 14 days. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Biaxin Suspension out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Biaxin Suspension, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Biaxin Suspension is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Biaxin Suspension. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Biaxin resources
- Biaxin Side Effects (in more detail)
- Biaxin Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Biaxin Drug Interactions
- Biaxin Support Group
- 33 Reviews for Biaxin - Add your own review/rating
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