Clarithromycin for Skin Infections

What Are Clarithromycin Tablets?

Clarithromycin 500mg for skin infections contain clarithromycin, a type of antibiotic known as a macrolide.

Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections. Clarithromycin works by stopping the growth of bacteria, helping your body clear the infection.

It is prescribed for infections caused by bacteria that are sensitive to clarithromycin.

Can I Use Clarithromycin 500mg for Skin Infections?

Clarithromycin 500mg can be used to treat certain bacterial skin infections, including impetigo, folliculitis, cellulitis and abscesses. It is usually prescribed if the infection is caused by bacteria that respond to clarithromycin, or if you cannot take penicillin

How Does Clarithromycin 500mg Work for Skin Infections?

Clarithromycin is an antibiotic. It works by stopping bacteria from growing and multiplying. This helps your immune system clear the infection and reduce symptoms such as redness, swelling and pain.

Alternatives to Clarithromycin 500mg for Skin Infections

Treatment depends on the type of infection.

• Flucloxacillin (a penicillin antibiotic) is often used first for many bacterial skin infections. Clarithromycin may be prescribed if you are allergic to penicillin or if penicillin treatment is not suitable.
• Topical antibiotics, such as fusidic acid (Fucidin) or mupirocin (Bactroban), may be used for mild or local infections.
• Antifungal creams, such as clotrimazole, miconazole (Daktarin) or terbinafine, are used for fungal skin infections.

Your prescriber will recommend the most appropriate treatment after assessing your symptoms.

How To Use Clarithromycin 500mg for Skin Infections

Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. For severe skin and soft tissue infections, the usual dose for adults is one 500mg tablet twice daily (every 12 hours). Treatment usually lasts 5 to 14 days. Swallow the tablet whole with water, with or without food.

Ingredients

Active ingredient: Clarithromycin 500mg (each film-coated tablet contains clarithromycin 500mg)

For the most up-to-date list of ingredients, please check the Patient Information Leaflet inside the box.

Side Effects

Like all medicines, clarithromycin can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.

Common side effects include:

• Headache
• Taste disturbances
• Diarrhoea
• Nausea or vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Insomnia
• Excessive sweating
• Abnormal liver function test results

Seek medical help immediately if you experience a severe allergic reaction, severe or prolonged diarrhoea, or symptoms of liver problems.

Warnings

Do not take clarithromycin if you are allergic to clarithromycin or other macrolide antibiotics such as erythromycin or azithromycin.

It must not be taken with certain medicines, including ergotamine, oral midazolam, some heart rhythm medicines, lovastatin or simvastatin.

Talk to your prescriber before taking it if you are pregnant, have liver or kidney problems, heart conditions or electrolyte imbalances.

For all warnings and side effects, please see the Patient Information Leaflet.