Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Biaxin Bid.
Abnormal heart rhythm: Clarithromycin may cause a heart rhythm problem called QT prolongation. If you have a history of QT prolongation, a medical condition associated with QT prolongation, or are taking certain medications (e.g., Amiodarone, Sotalol), discuss with your doctor how Biaxin Bid may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Biaxin Bid, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Allergy: If you have had some form of allergy to erythromycin or azithromycin, you may be more likely to have an allergic reaction to Biaxin Bid. If you develop symptoms of an allergic reaction such as a rash, contact your doctor. If you develop hives; difficulty breathing; or swelling of the face, mouth, throat, or tongue, stop taking Biaxin Bid and get immediate medical attention.
Bacterial resistance: Misuse of an antibiotic such as clarithromycin may lead to the growth of resistant bacteria that will not be killed by the antibiotic. If this happens, the antibiotic may not work for you in the future. Although you may begin to feel better when you first start taking clarithromycin, you need to take all of the medication, exactly as prescribed by your doctor, to finish ridding your body of the infection and to prevent resistant bacteria from taking hold. Do not take clarithromycin or other antibiotics to treat a viral infection such as The Common Cold; antibiotics do not kill viruses, and using them to treat viral infections can lead to the growth of resistant bacteria.
Diarrhea: As with other antibiotics, clarithromycin is associated with a serious infection called Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea, caused by the bacteria C. difficile. This can occur as late as 2 months after your last dose of Biaxin Bid.
If you have loose, watery bowel movements especially if they are green, foul-smelling, or bloody and accompanied by Fever, either during or after taking clarithromycin, get medical attention as soon as possible.
Dizziness, confusion, and disorientation: Biaxin Bid can cause dizziness, confusion, or disorientation. Do not drive or operate machinery until you are certain that Biaxin Bid does not affect your ability to perform these tasks safely.
Kidney function: Kidney Disease or reduced kidney function may cause Biaxin Bid to build up in the body, causing side effects. If you have reduced kidney function, discuss with your doctor how Biaxin Bid may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Biaxin Bid, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Liver problems: Liver disease or reduced liver function may cause Biaxin Bid to build up in the body, causing side effects. If you have reduced liver function, discuss with your doctor how Biaxin Bid may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Biaxin Bid, and whether any special monitoring is needed. Biaxin Bid should not be used by people with severe liver problems.
If you develop symptoms of liver problems (e.g., loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, itchy skin, abdominal pain), contact your doctor immediately.
Myasthenia gravis: Biaxin Bid can worsen or cause symptoms of myasthenia gravis. If your symptoms worsen or you develop new symptoms such as double vision, drooping eyelids, muscle weakness, or difficulty chewing or swallowing, contact your doctor.
Pregnancy: Clarithromycin should not be used during pregnancy, especially the first 3 months of pregnancy, unless there is no other appropriate therapy. If you become pregnant while taking Biaxin Bid, contact your doctor.
Breast-feeding: Biaxin Bid passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking clarithromycin, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
Children: The safety and effectiveness of using clarithromycin oral suspension have not been established for children younger than 6 months old. For pneumonia, the use of clarithromycin oral suspension has not been studied for children younger than 3 years old. The safety and effectiveness of using clarithromycin to prevent MAC infection has not been studied for children younger than 20 months old. The safety and effectiveness of using clarithromycin tablets have not been established for children younger than 12 years old.
