Clarithromycin Tablets, USP and Clarithromycin for Oral Suspension, USP may be given with or without food. Clarithromycin Extended-Release Tablets should be taken with food. Clarithromycin Extended-Release Tablets should be swallowed whole and not chewed, broken or crushed.
Clarithromycin may be administered without dosage adjustment in the presence of hepatic impairment if there is normal renal function. In patients with severe renal impairment (CLCR < 30 mL/min), the dose of clarithromycin should be reduced by 50%. However, when patients with moderate or severe renal impairment are taking clarithromycin concomitantly with atazanavir or ritonavir, the dose of clarithromycin should be reduced by 50% or 75% for patients with CLCR of 30 to 60 mL/min or < 30 mL/min, respectively.
ADULT DOSAGE GUIDELINES
Clarithromycin Tablets, USP
Clarithromycin Extended-Release Tablets
Infection
Dosage
(q12h)
Duration
(days)
Dosage
(q24h)
Duration
(days)
Pharyngitis/Tonsillitis due to
S. pyogenes
250 mg
10
-
-
Acute maxillary sinusitis due to
500 mg
14
2 x 500 mg
14
H. influenzae
M. catarrhalis
S. pneumoniae
Acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis due to
H. influenzae
500 mg
7-14
2 x 500 mg
7
H. parainfluenzae
500 mg
7
2 x 500 mg
7
M. catarrhalis
250 mg
7-14
2 x 500 mg
7
S. pneumoniae
250 mg
7-14
2 x 500 mg
7
Community-Acquired Pneumonia due to
H. influenzae
250 mg
7
2 x 500 mg
7
H. parainfluenzae
-
-
2 x 500 mg
7
M. catarrhalis
-
-
2 x 500 mg
7
S. pneumoniae
250 mg
7-14
2 x 500 mg
7
C. pneumoniae
250 mg
7-14
2 x 500 mg
7
M. pneumoniae
250 mg
7-14
2 x 500 mg
7
Uncomplicated skin and skin structure
250 mg
7-14
-
-
S. aureus
S. pyogenes
H. pylori Eradication to Reduce the Risk of Duodenal Ulcer Recurrence
Triple therapy: clarithromycin/lansoprazole/amoxicillin
The recommended adult dose is 500 mg clarithromycin, 30 mg lansoprazole, and 1 gram amoxicillin, all given twice daily (q12h) for 10 or 14 days (see INDICATIONS AND USAGE and CLINICAL STUDIES sections).
Triple therapy: clarithromycin/omeprazole/amoxicillin
The recommended adult dose is 500 mg clarithromycin, 20 mg omeprazole, and 1 gram amoxicillin, all given twice daily (q12h) for 10 days (see INDICATIONS AND USAGE and CLINICAL STUDIES sections). In patients with an ulcer present at the time of initiation of therapy, an additional 18 days of omeprazole 20 mg once daily is recommended for ulcer healing and symptom relief.
Dual therapy: clarithromycin/omeprazole
The recommended adult dose is 500 mg clarithromycin given three times daily (q8h) and 40 mg omeprazole given once daily (qAM) for 14 days (see INDICATIONS AND USAGE and CLINICAL STUDIES sections). An additional 14 days of omeprazole 20 mg once daily is recommended for ulcer healing and symptom relief.
Dual therapy: clarithromycin/ranitidine bismuth citrate
The recommended adult dose is 500 mg clarithromycin given twice daily (q12h) or three times daily (q8h) and 400 mg ranitidine bismuth citrate given twice daily (q12h) for 14 days. An additional 14 days of 400 mg twice daily is recommended for ulcer healing and symptom relief. Clarithromycin and ranitidine bismuth citrate combination therapy is not recommended in patients with creatinine clearance less than 25 mL/min (see INDICATIONS AND USAGE and CLINICAL STUDIES sections).
Children
The usual recommended daily dosage is 15 mg/kg/day divided q12h for 10 days.
PEDIATRIC DOSAGE GUIDELINES
Based on Body Weight
Dosing Calculated on 7.5 mg/kg q12h
Weight
Dose
Kg
lbs
(q12h)
125 mg/5 mL
250 mg/5 mL
9
17
25
33
20
37
55
73
62.5 mg
125 mg
187.5 mg
250 mg
2.5 mL q12h
5 mL q12h
7.5 mL q12h
10 mL q12h
1.25 mL q12h
2.5 mL q12h
3.75 mL q12h
5 mL q12h
Mycobacterial Infections
Prophylaxis
The recommended dose of clarithromycin for the prevention of disseminated Mycobacterium avium disease is 500 mg b.i.d. In children, the recommended dose is 7.5 mg/kg b.i.d. up to 500 mg b.i.d. No studies of clarithromycin for MAC prophylaxis have been performed in pediatric populations and the doses recommended for prophylaxis are derived from MAC treatment studies in children. Dosing recommendations for children are in the table above.
Treatment
Clarithromycin is recommended as the primary agent for the treatment of disseminated infection due to Mycobacterium avium complex. Clarithromycin should be used in combination with other antimycobacterial drugs that have shown in vitro activity against MAC or clinical benefit in MAC treatment (see CLINICAL STUDIES). The recommended dose for mycobacterial infections in adults is 500 mg b.i.d. In children, the recommended dose is 7.5 mg/kg b.i.d. up to 500 mg b.i.d. Dosing recommendations for children are in the table above.
Clarithromycin therapy should continue if clinical response is observed. Clarithromycin can be discontinued when the patient is considered at low risk of disseminated infection.
Constituting Instructions
The table below indicates the volume of water to be added when constituting:
Total Volume After Constitution
Clarithromycin Concentration After Constitution
Amount of Water to be Added*
50 mL
125 mg/5 mL
27 mL
100 mL
125 mg/5 mL
55 mL
50 mL
250 mg/5 mL
27 mL
100 mL
250 mg/5 mL
55 mL
* see instructions below.
Add half the volume of water to the bottle and shake vigorously. Add the remainder of water to the bottle and shake.
Shake well before each use. Oversize bottle provides shake space. Keep tightly closed. Do not refrigerate. After mixing, store below 25ºC (77ºF) and use within 14 days.