1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Clarithromycin is a macrolide antimicrobial indicated for mild to moderate infections caused by designated, susceptible bacteria in the following:
Acute Bacterial Exacerbation of Chronic Bronchitis in Adults (1.1)
Acute Maxillary Sinusitis (1.2)
Community-Acquired Pneumonia (1.3)
Pharyngitis/Tonsillitis (1.4)
Uncomplicated Skin and Skin Structure Infections (1.5)
Acute Otitis Media in Pediatric Patients (1.6)
Treatment and Prophylaxis of Disseminated Mycobacterial Infections (1.7)
Helicobacter pylori Infection and Duodenal Ulcer Disease in Adults (1.8)
To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of clarithromycin and other antibacterial drugs, clarithromycin should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by bacteria. (1.9)
1.1 Acute Bacterial Exacerbation of Chronic Bronchitis
Clarithromycin is indicated in adults for the treatment of mild to moderate infections caused by susceptible isolates due to Haemophilus influenzae, Haemophilus parainfluenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, or Streptococcus pneumoniae [see Indications and Usage (1.9)].
1.2 Acute Maxillary Sinusitis
Clarithromycin is indicated for the treatment of mild to moderate infections caused by susceptible isolates due to Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, or Streptococcus pneumoniae [see Indications and Usage (1.9)].
1.3 Community-Acquired Pneumonia
Clarithromycin is indicated [see Indications and Usage (1.9)]for the treatment of mild to moderate infections caused by susceptible isolates due to:
Haemophilus influenzae (in adults)
Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Chlamydophila pneumoniae clarithromycin [in adults and pediatric patients]
1.4 Pharyngitis/Tonsillitis
Clarithromycin is indicated for the treatment of mild to moderate infections caused by susceptible isolates due to Streptococcus pyogenes as an alternative in individuals who cannot use first line therapy.
1.5 Uncomplicated Skin and Skin Structure Infections
Clarithromycin is indicated for the treatment of mild to moderate infections caused by susceptible isolates due to Staphylococcus aureus, or Streptococcus pyogenes.
1.6 Acute Otitis Media
Clarithromycin is indicated in pediatric patients for the treatment of mild to moderate infections caused by susceptible isolates due to Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, or Streptococcus pneumoniae [see Clinical Studies (14.2)].
1.7 Treatment and Prophylaxis of Disseminated Mycobacterial Infections
Clarithromycin is indicated for the treatment of mild to moderate infections caused by susceptible isolates due to Mycobacterium avium or Mycobacterium intracellulare in patients with advanced HIV infection [see Clinical Studies (14.1)].
1.10 Usage
To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of clarithromycin and other antibacterial drugs, clarithromycin should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria. When culture and susceptibility information are available, they should be considered in selecting or modifying antibacterial therapy. In the absence of such data, local epidemiology and susceptibility patterns may contribute to the empiric selection of therapy.