Klacid
Generic Name: clarithromycin
Product Name: Klacid
Indication: What Klacid is used for
Klacid is used to treat certain bacterial infections, such as respiratory tract infections, skin infections, peptic ulcer.
Klacid is also used to prevent a specific bacterial infection associated with HIV infection.
Your doctor, however, may have prescribed Klacid for another purpose.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why Klacid has been prescribed for you.
Klacid is available only with a doctor’s prescription.
Klacid to treat peptic ulcer
Peptic ulcers are associated with an infection in the intestine and stomach by a bacteria called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). Nearly all patients with peptic ulcers are infected with this bacteria.
The H. pylori infection can be treated with a combination of Klacid (clarithromycin) and other appropriate antibiotic and stomach acid control treatments. However, the best combination of tablets to treat H. pylori infection is yet to be determined. Your doctor will determine the best combination for you.
If your symptoms return, consult your doctor. It is possible that Klacid may no longer be effective in killing the H. pylori infection and a different antibiotic may be needed.
Action: How Klacid works
Klacid is an antibiotic that belongs to the group of medicines called macrolides. These medicines work by killing or stopping the growth of bacteria which cause infections.
Klacid will not work against infections caused by viruses, such as colds or flu.
The active ingredient in Klacid is clarithromycin.
Each Klacid 250 mg tablet contains 250mg of clarithromycin.
Each Klacid 500 mg tablet contains 500mg of clarithromycin.
The tablets also contain the ingredients croscarmellose sodium, povidone, silicon dioxide, microcrystalline cellulose, purified talc, hyprolose, hypromellose, sorbitan mono-oleate, stearic acid, magnesium stearate, propylene glycol, sorbic acid, vanillin flavour. Colours are titanium dioxide and quinoline yellow. Klacid 250mg tablets also contain pregelatinised maize starch. Klacid tablets do not contain lactose or gluten.
Each 5mL of Klacid Powder for Oral Liquid contains 250mg of the active ingredient clarithromycin.
It also contains povidone, carbomer 934P, hypromellose phthalate, castor oil, silicon dioxide, xanthan gum, potassium sorbate, citric acid, titanium dioxide, maltodextrin, sucrose, fruit punch flavour.
Dose advice: How to use Klacid
How to take Klacid
Your doctor will tell you how much to take and when to take it. Take Klacid exactly as directed by your doctor.
This may differ from the information contained here.
How much to take
The dose of Klacid will depend on the infection to be treated.
For respiratory tract infections and skin infections, the usual adult dose is one Klacid 250 mg tablet twice a day. For more severe infections, the dose can be increased to one Klacid 500 mg tablet twice a day. For respiratory tract
For respiratory tract infections, the usual dose for children is 7.5mg/kg twice a day or as directed by your doctor. For children under 12 years of age Klacid Powder for Oral Liquid should be used.
Your doctor will adjust the amount or frequency of your doses according to the infection being treated and the severity of your condition.
If you do not understand the instructions on the box/bottle, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.
How to take Klacid
Klacid Tablets
Klacid tablets should be swallowed whole with a glass of water.
Klacid Powder for Oral Liquid
Shake the bottle well and accurately measure the dose with a medicine measure.
Shaking the bottle before use and using a medicine measure will make sure that you get the correct dose.
How long to take Klacid for
Keep taking Klacid until you finish the pack or bottle, or for as long as your doctor tells you.
If you are being treated for an infection, Klacid is usually taken for one or two weeks.
Do not stop taking Klacid, even if you feel better after a few days, unless advised by your doctor. Your infection may not clear completely if you stop taking your medicine too soon.
Check with your doctor if you are not sure how long you should be taking Klacid.
If you forget to take it
If it is almost time for you to take your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, and then continue taking your medicine as you would normally.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose that you missed. If you miss more than one dose, or are not sure what to do, check with your doctor or pharmacist.
If you take too much (overdose)
Immediately telephone your doctor or Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26) for advice, or go to casualty at your nearest hospital if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much Klacid. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. You may need urgent medical attention. Keep telephone numbers for these places/services handy.
If you take too much Klacid, you may develop severe gastrointestinal symptoms, liver problems, or allergic reactions.
While you are taking Klacid
Things you must do
If you are taking Klacid for an infection and your symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, tell your doctor.
Tell your doctor if you become pregnant while taking Klacid. If you get severe diarrhoea, tell your doctor or pharmacist immediately.
Do this even if it occurs several weeks after stopping Klacid. Diarrhoea may mean that you have a serious condition affecting your bowel. You may need urgent medical care. Do not take any medicine to stop your diarrhoea without first checking with your doctor.
Tell your doctor immediately if you experience any heart palpitations, changes in heartbeat, dizziness or fainting while taking Klacid.
If you have to have any urine tests, tell your doctor you are taking Klacid as it may affect the results of some laboratory tests.
If you are about to start taking a new medicine, tell your doctor or pharmacist that you are taking Klacid.
Tell all the doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are treating you that you are taking Klacid.
Things you must not do
Do not use Klacid to treat any other complaints unless your doctor says so.
Do not give this medicine to anyone else, even if their symptoms seem similar to yours.
Things to be careful of
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Klacid affects you.
After using Klacid
Storage
Keep your medicine where children cannot reach them.
A locked cupboard at least 1.5 metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.
Klacid Tablets:
Keep Klacid tablets in a cool dry place, protected from light, where the temperature stays below 25°C.
Powder for Oral Liquid:
Klacid Powder for Oral Liquid should be kept in a cool dry place, protected from light, where the temperature stays below 30°C.
The reconstituted suspension can be used for up to 14 days when stored below 30°C. Do not refrigerate.
Do not keep Klacid or any other medicine in the bathroom or near a sink. Do not leave Klacid in the car or on window sills. Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Disposal
If your doctor tells you to stop taking Klacid, or your medicine has passed its expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any medicine that is left over.
Schedule of Klacid
Klacid is a Schedule 4 medicine.
Side effects of Klacid
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking Klacid.
Klacid treats infections in most people, but it may have unwanted side effects in some people.
All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious; most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects. Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects.
You may not experience any of them. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
While you are taking Klacid
Tell your doctor if you experience any of the following:
- Stomach cramps and pains;
- Nausea, vomiting and severe diarrhoea;
- Oral thrush or vaginal thrush;
- Change in taste sensation;
- Headache;
- Asthma, shortness of breath.
Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following as you may need urgent medical care:
- Yellowing of the eyes or skin (jaundice);
- Feeling generally unwell and having poor appetite;
- Hearing disturbances;
- Chest pain;
- Dizziness, confusion, hallucinations, convulsions;
- Fainting, irregular heart beat;
- Any type of skin rash, itching, hives;
- Severe diarrhoea, especially if bloody;
- Severe upper stomach pain, with nausea and vomiting (pancreatitis).
Stop taking Klacid and tell your doctor immediately or go to casualty at your nearest hospital if any of the following happen:
- Swelling to the face, lips, mouth, throat or neck which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing or sudden collapse.
After you have finished taking Klacid
Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following side effects, even if they occur several weeks after stopping treatment with Klacid:
- Severe stomach or abdominal cramps;
- Watery and severe diarrhoea, which may also be bloody;
- Fever, in combination with one or both of the above.
These are rare but serious side effects. You may have a serious condition affecting your bowel and you may need urgent medical care.
Do not take any diarrhoea medicine without first checking with your doctor.
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information about side effects, as they have a more complete list of side effects. Inform your doctor promptly about these or any other symptoms. If the condition persists or worsens, seek medical attention.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them or only some of them.
Tell your doctor if you notice anything that is making you feel unwell while you are taking, or soon after you have finished taking Klacid, even if it is not on this list.
For further information talk to your doctor.
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