Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Ava-Clarithromycin
ABOUT THIS MEDICATION
What the medication is used for:
AVA-CLARITHROMYCIN is used to treat certain infections caused by bacteria such as pneumonia, bronchitis, infections of the sinuses, skin and throat.
When used with other medications, it can treat infection caused by a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) and reduce the risk of duodenal ulcer recurrence. A duodenal ulcer is a sore on the lining of the duodenum, which is the beginning of the small intestine.
It can also be prescribed to prevent and combat MAC disease in patients with HIV. MAC is a short word for Mycobacterium avium complex, the germs that cause MAC disease.
What it does:
AVA-CLARITHROMYCIN is an antibiotic that kills bacteria in your body.
When it should not be used:
Do not take AVA-CLARITHROMYCIN if you have ever had an allergic reaction to clarithromycin, or if you are sensitive to it or erythromycin, or any other antibacterial agent of the same family or to any ingredient in the formulation (see What the nonmedicinal ingredients are).
Do not take AVA-CLARITHROMYCIN if you are taking astemizole*, cisapride*, colchicine, pimozide, terfenadine*, ergotamine, dihydroergotamine, lovastatin or simvastatin. Astemizole*, cisapride*, pimozide, terfenadine*, ergotamine, dihydroergotamine and colchicine can interact with AVA-CLARITHROMYCIN, possibly leading to an irregular heartbeat pattern; deaths have occurred.
* no longer marketed in Canada
Do not take AVA-CLARITHROMYCIN if you have ever developed liver problems after using AVA-
CLARITHROMYCIN.
Do not use AVA-CLARITHROMYCIN if you have a
history of heart disturbance or irregular heart beat (arrhythmias, QT prolongation, torsade de points).
What the medicinal ingredient is:
Clarithromycin
What the nonmedicinal ingredients are:
AVA-CLARITHROMYCIN contains microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate, croscarmellose sodium, powdered cellulose, colloidal silica anhydrous and Opadry yellow.
What dosage forms it comes in:
Tablets of 250 mg and 500 mg.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Serious Warnings and Precautions
AVA-CLARITHROMYCIN should not be used in pregnancy unless advised by your doctor due to potential hazards to the fetus. Do not take AVA-CLARITHROMYCIN without first talking to your doctor if you are breast feeding a baby.
Before taking AVA-CLARITHROMYCIN, tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease. You may not be able to take clarithromycin, or you may require a lower dose and special monitoring during therapy. Talk to your doctor if AVA-CLARITHROMYCIN gives you prolonged and severe diarrhea.
The development of antibiotic resistance has been seen in patients with HIV receiving clarithromycin. To avoid failure of the treatment with a potential for developing antimicrobial resistance and a risk of failure with subsequent therapy, you/your child should follow closely the prescribed regimen.
BEFORE you use AVA-CLARITHROMYCIN talk to your doctor or pharmacist:
- about all health problems you have now or have had in the past;
- about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal
products; (see INTERACTIONS WITH THIS
MEDICATION);
- if you have or develop severe diarrhea as this may be a sign of a more serious condition;
- if you have kidney problems;
- if you have liver problems;
- if you are taking astemizole, terfenadine, cisapride, pimozide, ergotamine, dihydroergotamine, digoxin, colchicine; lovastatin or simvastatin.
if you have any unusual or allergic reaction (rash,
difficulty of breathing) to clarithromycin or any of the nonmedicinal ingredients in AVA-CLARITHROMYCIN (see "What the non-medicinal ingredients are"), other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives;
if you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant or are
breast feeding because clarithromycin has been detected in human breast milk.
if you are elderly with a history of liver or kidney
problems and taking colchicine.
WHILE taking AVA-CLARITHROMYCIN, contact your doctor if:
You develop symptoms of myasthenia gravis or
the symptoms of your existing myasthenia gravis worsen. These symptoms could include muscle weakness that gets worse with activity and gets better with rest, drooping eyelid, blurred or double vision, difficulty chewing and swallowing, or trouble breathing.
You develop symptoms of hepatitis (liver
inflammation) such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, yellowing of skin and eyes, dark urine etc. Stop taking the drug immediately.
INTERACTIONS WITH THIS MEDICATION
Drugs that may interact with AVA-CLARITHROMYCIN include:
Alfentanil, alprazolam, amlodipine,
astemizole*/terfenadine*, atazanavir, atorvastatin, bromocriptine, carbamazepine, cilostazol,
cisapride*/pimozide, colchicine, cyclosporine, digoxin, diltiazem, disopyramide/quinidine, efavirenz, ergotamine/ dihydroergotamine, fluconazole, hexobarbital, insulin, itraconazole, lansoprazole/omeprazole,
lovastatin/simvastatin, methylprednisolone, midazolam/triazolam, nateglinide, nevirapine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, pioglitazone, repaglinide, rifabutin/rifampin, rifapentine*, ritonavir/indinavir, roliglitazone, rosuvastatin, saquinavir, sildenafil, St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum), tacrolimus, tadalafil, theophylline, tolterodine, valproic acid, vardenafil, verapamil, vinblastine, warfarin/acenocoumarol, zidovudine and drugs metabolized by cytochrome P450 system.
*not marketed in Canada.
PROPER USE OF THIS MEDICATION
Usual Adult Dose:
AVA-CLARITHROMYCIN may be taken with or without meals.
Respiratory Tract or Skin Infections:
The usual dosage of AVA-CLARITHROMYCIN is 250 mg to 500 mg every 12 hours for 7 to 14 days.
Infections with H. Pylori.
Triple Therapy: AVA-CLARITHROMYCIN + Omeprazole + Amoxicillin
The recommended dose is the following for 10 days:
- AVA-CLARITHROMYCIN: 500 mg every 12 hours
- Omeprazole: 20 mg once daily
- Amoxicillin: 1 g every 12 hours
Double Therapy: AVA-CLARITHROMYCIN + Omeprazole
The recommended dose is the following for 14 days:
- AVA-CLARITHROMYCIN: 500 mg every 8 hours
- Omeprazole: 40 mg once daily
followed by 20 mg omeprazole once daily for 14 days
MAC disease:
The recommended dose for AVA-CLARITHROMYCIN for prevention and treatment of MAC disease is 500 mg every 12 hours.
Treatment of disseminated MAC infection (MAC infection spread through your whole body) in patients with HIV should continue for life if improvement of symptoms is observed.
Overdose:
In case of overdose, contact your healthcare professional, hospital emergency department or regional poison control centre, even if there are no symptoms. Symptoms of AVA-CLARITHROMYCIN overdose are abdominal pain, vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea.
Missed Dose:
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double or extra doses.
SIDE EFFECTS AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM
Like all medicines, AVA-CLARITHROMYCIN can cause side effects. The majority of side effects observed in clinical trials with AVA-CLARITHROMYCIN were of a mild and transient nature.
The following adverse reactions were reported during the clinical studies with clarithromycin, the medicinal ingredient (occurring between 1% and 10% in clinical trials) or during post-marketing surveillance: abdominal pain, abnormal taste, diarrhea, ear disorder, flatulence, indigestion, headache, nausea, rash, vomiting. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if any of these side effects persist or become bothersome.
Serious side effects from AVA-CLARITHROMYCIN are not common.
If dizziness, confusion or disoritentation occur while taking AVA-CLARITHROMYCIN, do not drive or operate machinery.
| SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS, HOW OFTEN THEY | ||||
| HAPPEN AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM | ||||
| Symptom/effect | Talk with your doctor or pharmacist | Stop taking drug and seek immediate emergency medical attention | ||
| Only if severe | In all cases | |||
| Uncommon | Allergic reactions* Severe diarrhea Severe abdominal cramps Irregular heartbeat | ✓ ✓ | ✓ ✓ | |
*Allergic reactions, with symptoms such as itching, skin eruptions, rash, sore throat, fever, swelling, skin rash, itchiness, difficulty breathing, lightheadedness/dizziness.
This is not a complete list of side effects. For any unexpected effects while taking AVA-CLARITHROMYCIN, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
HOW TO STORE IT
AVA-CLARITHROMYCIN should be stored at controlled room temperature between 15°C and 30°C in a tightly closed container. Keep out of reach of children.
REPORTING SUSPECTED SIDE EFFECTS
You can report any suspected adverse reactions associated with the use of health products to the Canada Vigilance Program by one of the following 3 ways: --------------------------------------------------------------------------
- Report online at www.healthcanada.gc.ca/medeffect
- Call toll-free at 1-866-234-2345
Complete a Canada Vigilance Reporting Form and:
- Fax toll-free to 1-866-678-6789, or
Mail to: Canada Vigilance Program Health Canada
Postal Locator 0701E Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0K9
Postage paid labels, Canada Vigilance Reporting Form and the adverse reaction reporting guidelines are available on the MedEffect™
Canada Web site at www.healthcanada.gc.ca/medeffect.
NOTE: Should you require information related to the management of side effects, contact your health professional. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice.
MORE INFORMATION
This document, plus the full product monograph prepared for health professionals, can be found by contacting the sponsor, Avanstra Inc., at:
1-855-708-3678
or by e-mail at :
medinfo@avanstra.com