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Antibiotic Treatment for Acute Sinusitis | Penicillin V 250mg Tablets
Clarithromycin For Sinusitis
Effective treatment for bacterial sinus infections- Ideal alternative for people with penicillin allergies
- Convenient twice-daily dosing for 5-7 days
- Begins working quickly to relieve sinus symptoms
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Clarithromycin - Available Online
When bacterial sinusitis strikes it can leave you feeling very unwell, causing pain and pressure behind your face. Thankfully, help is at hand. Clarithromycin is a powerful antibiotic which can ease your symptoms and help you feel better.
This kind of sinus infection often starts after a cold or episode of flu, when bacteria invade your sinuses, which are the large air-filled cavities behind your nose, causing swelling, pain and blockages. Many cases clear up on their own but if your symptoms stick around or get worse you might need a course of antibiotics to help you recover.
Clarithromycin is an effective antibiotic for sinusitis, and a good option if you’re allergic to penicillin. It works by stopping the bacteria causing your sinus pain from growing, giving your immune system a chance to fight the infection.
It’s available on prescription and usually taken as one 500mg tablet twice a day for five to seven days. Speak to one of our healthcare professionals now to see if it can help you to recover from sinusitis.
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Clarithromycin 500mg tablets - Summary
About Clarithromycin For Sinusitis
Sinus infection can be uncomfortable, causing pain behind your cheeks, nose, forehead and eyes but clarithromycin can help, stopping the bacteria responsible in their tracks. It’s a good alternative if you’re allergic to penicillin or penicillin-based antibiotics like amoxicillin – it does the same job, it just fights the bacteria in a different way, providing you with fast relief.
It's also effective against bacteria that penicillin might not work as well on and it’s usually well-tolerated, making it a safe alternative option.
How Does Clarithromycin Work?
Clarithromycin belongs to a group of medicines called macrolide antibiotics. It works by stopping the bugs that cause bacterial sinusitis from producing the proteins they need to survive. Without this they’re unable to grow, giving your immune system a chance to clear the infection.
It’s effective against the bugs which commonly cause bacterial sinus infections such as Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae. This makes it a reliable treatment when your symptoms are more severe or don’t improve on their own.
How To Take/Use Clarithromycin For Sinusitis
Our medical professionals will tell you how to take clarithromycin but typically you’ll take 500mg twice daily for five to seven days with at least half a glass of water each time.
It’s important you complete the full course of antibiotics even if you start to feel better before finishing it. Stopping treatment early can allow some bacteria to survive and for the infection to return or get worse.
Ingredients
Each film-coated tablet contains 500mg of active clarithromycin. Other ingredients in the tablet are microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, silica, colloidal anhydrous, magnesium stearate, povidone, hypromellose, propylene glycol, titanium dioxide (E 171), hydroxypropyl cellulose, vanillin, sorbic acid and iron oxide yellow (E 172).
Side Effects
Clarithromycin is well tolerated, but like any medicine you may get side effects. The most common ones you may experience are stomach problems (nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea), difficulty sleeping, changes in taste, headaches and increased sweating.
If you suffer severe or prolonged diarrhoea, difficulty breathing, fainting or swelling of your face, yellowing of your skin, a tender tummy, pale poo or dark urine, severe skin reactions, or muscle pain and weakness you should stop taking the medication straight away and speak to our medical professionals.
For the full list of side effects please see the information leaflet provided with your medicine.
Warnings
Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse before taking Clarithromycin Tablets:
- If you are pregnant or you think that you may be pregnant
- If you have a liver or kidney disorder
- If you have been diagnosed with coronary artery disease, severe heart failure or slowed heart rate
- If you are taking any of the medicines
If you experience any of the situations described below while taking Clarithromycin Film-Coated Tablets, you should tell your doctor about it:
- Severe hypersensitivity reactions, such as maculopapular rash, urticaria, ecchymosis, swelling of the larynx, and bronchospasm. Immediately report to a doctor who will introduce appropriate treatment.
- Diarrhoea, especially acute or prolonged. Talk to your doctor as soon as possible. If necessary, the doctor will prescribe appropriate treatment. Do not use anti-diarrheal medicines.
- Symptoms indicating hepatic dysfunction, such as lack of appetite, jaundice, dark urine colour, pruritus or painful stomach. Stop treatment and report to the doctor.
- New infection (superinfection) with clarithromycin-resistant bacteria or fungi, especially during prolonged antibiotic use. The doctor will prescribe appropriate treatment.
Clarithromycin and other medications
You must inform your doctor if you are taking one of the following medicines, as it is contraindicated to use them with Clarithromycin Film-Coated Tablets:
- Ergot alkaloids, such as ergotamine or dihydroergotamine (medicines used, among others, to treat migraines)
- Astemizole or terfenadine (medicines used to treat allergy)
- Cisapride or domperidone (a medicine used to treat gastrointestinal tract disorders)
- Pimozide (a medicine used to treat mental disorders)
- Ticagrelor, ranolazine (a medicine used to treat heart and circulatory diseases)
- Colchicine (a medicine used to treat gout)
- Statins – lovastatin, simvastatin (medicines used to lower blood cholesterol)
- Midazolam administered orally (a medicine used to treat anxiety or insomnia)
Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines, as it is necessary to take special care while using them with Clarithromycin Film-Coated Tablets:
- Rifampicin, rifapentine, rifabutin (antibiotics used to treat tuberculosis)
- Fluconazole, itraconazole (antifungal medicines)
- Atazanavir, efavirenz, etravirine, nevirapine, ritonavir, saquinavir, zidovudine (used to treat HIV infection)
- Digoxin, quinidine, disopyramide, verapamil, amlodipine, diltiazem (used to treat heart disturbances or arterial hypertension)
- Alprazolam, triazolam, midazolam administered intravenously or oromucosally (medicines used to treat anxiety or insomnia)
- Warfarin or any other anticoagulant e.g. dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban
- Quetiapine or another atypical antipsychotic drug
- Carbamazepine, valproate, phenytoin (antiepileptic drugs)
- Methylprednisolone (an anti-inflammatory medicine)
- Omeprazole (a medicine reducing the secretion of gastric acid)
- Cilostazol (a medicine used to treat intermittent claudication which manifests as muscle pain of lower extremities during effort resolving after short rest)
- Cyclosporine, tacrolimus, sirolimus (medicines used, among others, after transplants)
- Sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil (medicines used to treat erectile dysfunction)
- Ibrutinib or vinblastine (medicines used in cancer chemotherapy)
- Theophylline (a medicine used to treat asthma)
- Tolterodine (a medicine used to treat urinary incontinence)
- Phenobarbital (an anti-seizure medicine)
- St. John’s wort (a herbal medicine used to treat mild depression)
- Sulfonylurea, nateglinide, repaglinide, insulin (medicines used in diabetes)
- Hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine (medicines used to treat autoimmune diseases).
For a full list of warnings, please see the Patient Information Leaflet contained within the product packaging.
What Is The Difference Between Bacterial And Viral Sinusitis?
Sinusitis can be caused by either bacteria or a virus and knowing the difference is important, so you get the right treatment. Viral sinusitis typically develops when you have a cold or flu and often clears up by itself after a few days. It’s more likely to be bacterial if you have severe symptoms like a high fever, thick nasal discharge or prolonged facial pain, symptoms last more than 10 days or they worsen after an initial improvement.
If it’s bacterial, clarithromycin should help. It’s designed to target bacteria, stopping them from producing the proteins they need to grow and thrive. Antibiotics won’t help if your sinusitis is caused by a virus. It’s why getting a correct diagnosis before treatment is essential. Overuse of antibiotics or taking them when you don’t need to can increase antibiotic resistance and make future infections harder to treat.
Why Is Clarithromycin Prescribed For Sinusitis?
Clarithromycin is a popular treatment for sinusitis, especially if you’re allergic to penicillin or other penicillin-based antibiotics like amoxicillin. It’s well tolerated by most people and effective against the common bacteria that cause sinus infections. It prevents them from producing the proteins they need to grow which gives your immune system a chance to get rid of them for good.
How Long Does Clarithromycin Take To Work For Sinusitis?
Sinusitis pain can make you feel truly miserable, but once you start clarithromycin you should notice your symptoms begin to ease within two to three days. Some people feel better even sooner while for others it may take a little longer.
It’s vital you take the entire course of antibiotics even if you’re feeling better to make sure the infection is completely cleared. Even if your symptoms have gone, some bacteria may remain, which may cause the infection to flare up again if you stop early, making it harder to treat.
What Should I Do If I Miss A Dose Of Clarithromycin?
Ideally, you should take clarithromycin at the same time each day, but we know what it’s like – sometimes life gets in the way and it’s easy to forget. Don’t worry if you do miss a dose, just take it as soon as you remember.
If it’s almost time for your next dose, don’t take the missed tablet and just take the next one at your usual time. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
Can I Drink Alcohol While Taking Clarithromycin?
It’s safe to drink alcohol while taking clarithromycin; it doesn’t reduce the effectiveness of your treatment. However, it may increase the risk of side effects like stomach upset, dizziness and liver strain.
Alcohol may also impact your energy levels and slow down recovery, particularly heavy drinking which may slow your immune response and make it harder to fight infections. It’s best to wait until you’ve completed your treatment before you resume drinking.
What Medications Should Not Be Taken With Clarithromycin?
There are certain medicines which may interact with clarithromycin and affect how both they and clarithromycin work, so it’s important you tell our medical professionals about anything you’re taking. They may need to adjust the dose or carry out regular checks on you during treatment.
Tell them if you’re taking medications for heart problems, cancer treatment, anticoagulants, statins for cholesterol, insulin to lower blood glucose levels, asthma drugs, immune suppressants, antiviral medication, blood pressure tablets, St John’s Wort and other macrolide medicines.
Is Clarithromycin Safe During Pregnancy?
If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, or you think you might be pregnant, you must let our medical professionals know before taking clarithromycin. This is because the effects of the antibiotic during pregnancy and breastfeeding are not known. Our experts will weigh up the risks and benefits of taking it. They may suggest an alternative treatment which is safer for use during pregnancy.
How Does Clarithromycin Compare To Other Antibiotics For Sinusitis?
Clarithromycin is a useful alternative to penicillin-based antibiotics for treating sinusitis, especially if you’re allergic to penicillin. Amoxicillin is usually the first line of defence, but clarithromycin is just as effective against common sinus bacteria. It may also be used where the bacteria causing your infection are resistant to penicillin and a broader spectrum antibiotic is needed.
What Other Treatments Can Help Relieve Sinusitis Symptoms?
Clarithromycin will help clear your sinus infection but there are other things you can do to feel more comfortable faster. Nasal saline irrigation can help flush out the mucus and ease your congestion while decongestants can reduce any swelling and improve airflow, helping you to breath more freely.
Pain relief like paracetamol or ibuprofen can help with any facial aches and pains while nasal corticosteroids reduce inflammation, especially if swelling is severe. Ask our health professionals about the best treatment for you.
When Should I Seek Medical Attention While Taking Clarithromycin?
Most people tolerate clarithromycin well but you should seek medical attention if you experience any unusual symptoms. Severe or persistent diarrhoea, especially with blood or mucus, could be a sign of serious stomach infection. Watch for signs of allergic reaction – itching, swelling (particularly around the throat), difficulty breathing or a rash.
You should also seek help if your symptoms don’t improve despite treatment or if you notice any yellowing of the skin, dark urine or fatigue as these could indicate liver issues.
How Do I Buy Clarithromycin For Sinusitis Online?
Clarithromycin is a prescription-only treatment, so you’ll need to fill out a health information questionnaire and speak to one of our medical team first. It’s important you answer all questions accurately so we can decide if it’s the best treatment for you or suggest a suitable alternative.
It’s easy to do – a consultation is discreet and takes just a few minutes online. Get started today and get relief from bacterial sinusitis fast.
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