Prescribing the drug, the doctor will definitely explain why Clarithromycin is needed. Instructions for use on it indicate the possibility of various side effects, but it is not always clear on the first reading which of them really threaten many, and which are extremely rare. Consider the reviews and official information to understand how dangerous the antibiotic is, what to expect from it.
Negative aspects: general information
Side effects of Clarithromycin (500 mg and other dosage forms) include anxiety, sleep disturbances, and bad dreams. Some note that while taking the drug it was sick and dizzy, occasionally disturbed by disorientation. Manufacturers specify that the medication can provoke psychosis and confused consciousness, various visions. There is a risk of depersonalization.
Quite often, as shown by clinical practice, when taking "Clarithromycin" side effects: bitterness in the mouth, nausea and vomiting, soreness in the abdomen. Against the background of taking an antibiotic, an inflammatory process may develop in the oral cavity (on the mucous membrane of the cheek, tongue). Occasionally, laboratory tests show an increased activity of liver enzymes. There is a risk of jaundice. In rare cases, the drug provokes pseudomembranous enterocolitis.
It is known that with the use of the drug, the likelihood of developing superinfection increases. Pathological microflora can develop resistance to the active component of the drug.
Why be afraid?
Confirm the side effects indicated in the instructions for use of "Clarithromycin", reviews of people who used this antibiotic. Since the drug is affordable, proven and effective, it is prescribed quite often, so there are a lot of responses about taking it. It is known that the drug can cause tinnitus, and some patients noted that this side effect bothered some time after completion of therapy. It is known that in isolated cases, tablets can cause deafness. The phenomenon is reversible, the hearing is restored as soon as the medication is canceled.
Quite rarely, against the background of the drug course, thrombocytopenia, malignant erythema occur. There is a risk of rashes on the skin and certain itchy areas. A medication can cause an anaphylactoid response in the body.
FDA studies suggest that additional side effects of Clarithromycin are associated with a long therapeutic course. The use of an antibiotic for a long time against a background of heart and vascular diseases is likely to create mortal risks and increases the likelihood of complications. The fact of the drug’s insecurity is confirmed by monitoring over one decade of patients suffering from cardiac ischemia. It was revealed that among people of this group who used Clarithromycin for two weeks or more, for an inexplicable reason, the percentage of deaths increased. It is likely that the increased risk of mortality persists for a year from the moment the antibiotic is completed.
When to apply?
Of course, it is more likely to encounter side effects of Clarithromycin if used improperly. To avoid such a mistake, the drug is used only under the supervision of a doctor. The medication in question is prescribed if the patient has a bacterial infection, and laboratory tests confirm the sensitivity of microflora to the medication in question.
"Clarithromycin" is prescribed for inflammation in the respiratory system. The drug is effective in the processes in the upper respiratory tract, and in the lower. Its effectiveness in laryngitis, tonsillitis, various forms of the common cold, pulmonary inflammation (including atypical) and bronchial, tonsillitis is proved.
Assign "Clarithromycin" with folliculitis, boils, infection of wounds and impetigo.
The drug showed its effectiveness with otitis media and ulcers in the stomach and intestines.
It is used for infection with chlamydia, mycobacterium. However, for any diagnosis, before prescribing, you should first evaluate the obvious benefit for the patient, analyze the possible side effects, contraindications of Clarithromycin (all of them are given in the accompanying documentation for the tablets).
Theory and practice: how does the drug work?
Those who took the drug in question in their reviews of the side effects of Clarithromycin traditionally pay considerable attention - indeed, many face negative phenomena, and in a certain percentage of cases they are quite significant. It is noted that the drug is effective against the underlying disease, which, according to some, fully justifies the undesirable effects. At the same time, it is clear that some negative phenomena disturb not only during the course, but also after.
Quite often people who took pills in their reviews about the side effects of “Clarithromycin” mention bitterness in their mouth. Presumably, this is the most common of the pronounced and unpleasant effects of the composition. Bitterness cannot be washed down, seized. The phenomenon bothers even with strict observance of the instructions and careful swallowing of the drug, without violating the integrity of the shell. It is noted that an unpleasant sensation in the mouth is most active a quarter of an hour after taking the medication. Some indicated that they sought relief with caramel.
Nuances and troubles: what else is possible
Should I take Clarithromycin? Reviews of doctors who regularly prescribe this drug to their patients in their clinical practice agree on its effectiveness. Indeed, an antibiotic quickly gives a pronounced and positive effect. Very rarely, his course is ineffective against microflora. At the same time, it is noted that the use of tablets in a number of patients leads to severe pain in the stomach. Some have pain so pronounced that they have to completely abandon the therapeutic course.
One of the disadvantages of this composition is its effect on the liver. "Clarithromycin" for this reason causes strong bitterness in the mouth. The phenomenon worries not only during the course of treatment, but also after it. It is noted that, on average, a completely side effect disappears only a month after taking the last pill (some later). Of course, the manufacturer in the accompanying instructions indicates the possibility of this phenomenon, however, it does not become easier for patients to know this, which is confirmed by a variety of responses.
Combine and combine: is it possible?
Sometimes doctors prescribe a comprehensive course: at the same time Amoxicillin and Clarithromycin. Side effects in this case can be quite unpleasant. In general, the drug in question is very poorly combined with others, so its use as an element of complex therapy is rarely practiced. Concomitant use with Amoxicillin has proven to be a good approach to the treatment of serious infectious diseases, but this practice is fraught with a number of dangers.
Often, before prescribing a comprehensive course, the doctor specifies how well the patient tolerates antimicrobial medications in principle. This is due to the nuances of the effect of Clarithromycin on the body: it is he who most often provokes undesirable responses, activating, among other things, the negative effect of Amoxicillin. People taking this combination of drugs noted that it was not only the bitterness in their mouth that bothered them, which they could not cope with by any means. Side effects of Clarithromycin in children and adults included severe dizziness and frequent heartbeats. In the responses, some patients indicate hallucinations that came at night, disturbed sleep and did not give a full rest.
Features of influence and practice
Often there are side effects of Clarithromycin in women using the drug due to gynecological diseases. It is known that with such diagnoses, the drug is prescribed quite often. In addition, the practice of a preventive course is widespread, when tablets are prescribed even without indications mandatory for their use. As can be seen from the responses, not everyone benefits from this. Side effects are very worrying for those who start taking Clarithromycin at their own discretion, without consulting a doctor at all.
From the responses it is seen that the most typical side effects of Clarithromycin in women are soreness in the lower abdomen, thrush, sleep disturbance, a change in psychoemotional status, and tearfulness. It is noted that against the background of taking the tablets, severe pains appeared on the right under the ribs, the chair was broken, and vomited. Some women taking the drug complained of panic attacks.
Official instructions: unwanted effects
It is not always easy for a specialist to decide whether to prescribe whether a child should take Clarithromycin. Doctors' reviews indicate: the drug is effective, productive, but the price is quite high, since many are faced with negative effects. A perversion of taste, a violation of the functioning of the digestive tract are the most typical phenomena.
On the other hand, all the negative consequences mentioned in the instructions for use are also characteristic of other macrolides - the group of antibiotics to which Clarithromycin belongs. These effects are not something fundamentally abnormal, therefore, they will not be a reason for canceling the composition, although in some cases the doctor may recommend stopping treatment. This is possible if the negative effects are very strong. Do not interrupt the program yourself: you need to see a doctor. The specialist will determine how to replace "Clarithromycin" or how to smooth out the negative phenomena in order to complete the antimicrobial course.
Clinical trials on the side effects of Clarithromycin have shown that these are independent of the presence of mycobacteria in the pathological microflora. Of particular interest are post-marketing studies on different schemes and options for using the medication. A large-scale collection of information was conducted on the activity of all existing forms of release.
Clarified and confirmed: hazards specified in the instructions
Among the side effects of Clarithromycin, the likelihood of cellulite is mentioned. The therapeutic course can cause gastroenteritis, vaginal infection, erysipelas, erythrasma. It is known that a medication can provoke neutro-, thrombocytosis, leukopenia, cause agranulocytosis or eosinophilia. Cases of thrombocythemia are known. A reaction of hypersensitivity, intolerance, anaphylactic response can develop on the drug. The frequency of such negative consequences has not yet been established. Some patients experience weight loss and loss of appetite. A possible consequence of treatment is hypoglycemia.
Many patients are concerned about the side effects of Clarithromycin on the central nervous system. The drug disrupts sleep and makes a person anxious and nervous. There are many cases when, against the background of a therapeutic course, patients were characterized by unpredictable cries. It was not possible to establish the frequency of psychoses and depersonalization, confused consciousness and oppressed psycho-emotional status. It is known that “Clarithromycin” can cause nightmares, mania, loss of orientation in space, visions. In some, it provokes malfunctions in the auditory system and vestibular apparatus.
Dangers lie in wait: rarely, but extremely unpleasant
"Clarithromycin" can cause dyskinesia, dysgeusia, ano-, parosmia, convulsions, agevziya, tremor. Sometimes, against the background of a therapeutic course, he is drawn to sleep, dizzy and headache. Possible episodes of unconsciousness. There is a risk of cardiac arrest and atrial fibrillation, increased speed and rhythm disturbance in the contraction of the heart muscle, including tachycardia on the basis of the “pirouette” principle. There is a chance of increasing the duration of the QT interval, extrasystoles. It is determined that the drug in question can cause hemorrhage, vasodilation. For the first, the frequency is not specified, the second is observed in 10% of patients or more often.
While taking Clarithromycin, there is a risk of developing asthma, nosebleeds, and pulmonary vascular embolism. The drug can provoke esophagitis and reflux, gastritis, increased gas formation, bloating. Some have loose stools, others have constipation. There is a risk of burping, it dries in the mouth. It was not possible to find out with what frequency Clarithromycin provokes pancreatitis, a change in the shade of teeth and tongue, but it is known for sure that there is a risk of such side effects.
Unwanted Answers: Great Variety
Sometimes “Clarithromycin” provokes cholestasis or liver failure. It can cause urticaria, bullous dermatitis, hyperhidrosis, necrolysis, acne. In some patients, uncontrolled muscle cramps, rigidity of the muscles supporting the skeleton, rhabdomyolysis were observed. Myopathy is possible. Creatinine concentration and urea content may increase in the circulatory system. There is a possibility of interstitial nephritis. Some patients have a fever, while others have chest pains. Against the background of tablets, chronic fatigue, general malaise and weakness, chills are possible.
Laboratory studies can reveal a change in the ratio of globulin and albumin, an increase in alkaline phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase. There is a possibility of an increase in prothrombin time. In some patients, the shade of urine changed. Several reports of uveitis have been received. This side effect is more likely when combining Clarithromycin and Rifabutin. As a rule, the phenomenon is reversible. In old age, with insufficient renal function when combined with colchicine, the likelihood of poisoning the body increases, which can cause the death of the patient.
And what to replace?
Against the background of the foregoing, a fair question arises: are there safer analogues of the drug “Clarithromycin”? The following tablets with similar composition are on sale:
- Clubax.
- Aziklar.
- Clarbact.
- "Clarit."
However, they can also cause unwanted effects on the body. To minimize such phenomena, drugs should be used strictly under the supervision of a doctor. It is forbidden to take the drug on your own, without any evidence for this. You can not use the composition for a short course, refuse it only because of an improvement in condition, without going through the program completely. Replace Clarithromycin with any other antibiotic is possible only after consultation with the doctor, otherwise the drug program is highly likely to be ineffective.
Is it possible or not?
To minimize the likelihood of a negative response, the accompanying documentation should be studied before taking the drug, paying special attention to the contraindications section. Side effects of “Clarithromycin” if the drug is used against a background of contraindications will be more pronounced and stronger.
It is necessary to refrain from taking the drug with hypersensitivity to its components or any other macrolides. The drug is not taken during the course of midazolam. It can not be used if the former had pirouette tachycardia, ventricular arrhythmia, lengthening of the QT interval. The drug is contraindicated in case of a lack of potassium in the body, a severe form of liver, kidney failure.
It is especially important to treat the selection of a therapeutic course if a person is forced to use any medications. "Clarithromycin" is not combined with astemizole, carob alkaloids, statins, terfenadine. You can not use an antibiotic in combination with pimozide, cisapride, colchicine, ranolazine, ticagrelor.
How to use correctly?
For patients over the age of twelve, Clarithromycin is recommended to use 250 mg every 12 hours. If the infection is severe, the dose is doubled. The duration of the course is 6-14 days. , .
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Similarly, you can combine the described tool and "Lansoprazole." An antibiotic is taken every day three times in a dose of 0.5 g, and the second drug - once 60 g. In the future, you may need to use medications to control the production of hydrochloric acid in order to smooth out the symptoms of the ulcer process.