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Biaxin (clarithromycin) is a macrolide antibiotic useful at treating or preventing a range of bacterial infections in the skin, throat, and lungs, as well as, with other medications, to treat stomach ulcers caused by Helicobacter pylori. This product has no effect on infections caused by viruses or fungi.

This product can be used by patients of all ages; dosage adjustments will be required for the young, elderly, or those with other major medical conditions present.

Biaxin Uses

Biaxin is an effective antibiotic useful in treating a wide range of conditions, such as:

• Sinusitis
• Pneumonia
• Tonsillitis
• Skin infections
• Otitis media
• Bronchitis
• Duodenal ulcer disease
• Other infections

The medication may be used on its own or with other drugs for greater effect. Treatment typically consists of 250 to 500 mg every 12 hours, for 7 to 14 days, though there are exceptions.

There is increasing concern with regard to bacteria being resistant to Biaxin in some locations, and for some applications, particularly in its use treating ulcers. For these reasons patients are strongly encouraged to have the bacteria identified, so the best antibiotic can be chosen; depending on location, that medication might not be Biaxin. Without regard to resistant bacteria, Biaxin is effective against:

• Haemophilus influenzae
• Haemophilus parainfluenzae
• Streptococcus pneumoniae
• Mycoplasma pneumoniae
• Chlamydophila pneumoniae
• Moraxella catarrhalis
• Streptococcus pyogenes
• Staphylococcus aureus
• Mycobacterium avium
• Mycobacterium intracellulare
• Helicobacter Pylori

Biaxin is not always the first-line defense, either; in some applications it may be reserved for when treatment with other antibiotics---such as penicillin---are, for various reasons, not possible; patient allergy, resistant bacteria, no supply, and so forth.

Most patients prescribed Biaxin---assuming a doctor or lab identified the bacteria---will have a speedy, full recovery.

Dosage & Administration

Biaxin is available as a tablet, extended-release tablet, and as granules for an oral solution. Extended-release tablets should be taken with food; the other two can be taken with or without food as desired. Extended-release tablets are only suitable for some conditions.

Treatment and its duration will depend on what's being treated. Following are guidelines for common conditions:

• Bronchitis caused by M. catarrhalis or S. pneumoniae - 250 mg every 12 hours, taken for 14 days. For extended-release tablets, 1 gram taken every 24 hours for 7 days.
• Bronchitis caused by H. influenzae - 500 mg every 12 hours, taken for 14 days. For extended-release tablets, 1 gram taken every 24 hours for 7 days.
• Bronchitis caused by H. parainfluenzae - 500 mg every 12 hours, taken for 7 days. For extended-release tablets, 1 gram taken every 24 hours for 7 days.
• Pneumonia - 250 mg taken every 12 hours for 14 days; when caused by H. influenzae, treatment should be 7 days. For extended-release tablets, 1 gram taken every 24 hours for 7 days. H. parainfluenzae and M. catarrhalis should only be treated with extended-release tablets.
• Sinusitis - 500 mg taken every 12 hours for 14 days. For extended-release tablets, 1 gram taken every 24 hours for 14 days.
• Tonsillitis - 250 mg taken every 12 hours for 10 days. Extend-release tablets not recommended.
• Otitis media - 250 mg taken every 12 hours for 7 to 14 days. Extend-release tablets not recommended.
• Skin infections - 250 mg taken every 12 hours for 7 to 14 days. Extend-release tablets not recommended.

Children and those with renal impairment will require modified dosing; typically 15 mg per kg of body weight per day, divided into two 12 hour doses. Treatment for nearly all conditions in children will extend for 10 days. There are, however, a lot of mitigating factors and doctor instruction may vary.

Treating duodenal ulcers is done with other medications; commonly with amoxicillin and lansoprazole or omeprazole. The standard dose with these medications is 500 mg Biaxin every 12 hours for 10 to 14 days. To reduce risk of recurrence, standard treatment is 500 mg every 8 hours for 14 days.

Regardless of the condition being treated, it's critical that patients complete treatment. Many patients feel perfectly fine two or three days after treatment begins. Treatment should extend at least 7 days, often 14 days; failure to complete treatment risks leaving some bacteria alive and contributes to resistance---patients may find a resurgence of a now much-harder-to-treat infection.