Biaxin is in a group of drugs called macrolide antibiotics. It fights bacteria in your body.

Biaxin is used to treat many different types of bacterial infections affecting the skin and respiratory system. It is also used together with other medicines to treat stomach ulcers caused by Helicobacter pylori.

Biaxin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information about Biaxin

Do not use Biaxin if you are also using any of the drugs listed below. They can interact with Biaxin and cause life-threatening heart rhythm disorders:

• astemizole (Hismanal);
• cisapride (Propulsid);
• ergot medicine such as ergotamine (Ergomar, Ergostat, Cafergot, Ercaf, Wigraine), or dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal Nasal Spray);
• pimozide (Orap); or
• terfenadine (Seldane).

Take Biaxin for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Biaxin is usually given for 7 to 14 days (or longer when treating stomach ulcer). Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Biaxin will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

Before taking Biaxin

Do not use Biaxin if you are allergic to clarithromycin or to similar medicines such as azithromycin (Zithromax), dirithromycin (Dynabac), erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin), or troleandomycin (Tao). Do not use Biaxin if you are also using any of the drugs listed below. They can interact with Biaxin and cause life-threatening heart rhythm disorders:

• astemizole (Hismanal);
• cisapride (Propulsid);
• ergot medicine such as ergotamine (Ergomar, Ergostat, Cafergot, Ercaf, Wigraine), or dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal Nasal Spray);
• pimozide (Orap); or
• terfenadine (Seldane).

Before using Biaxin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• liver disease;
• kidney disease;
• myasthenia gravis;
• porphyria; or
• a personal or family history of “Long QT syndrome.”

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take Biaxin.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Biaxin is harmful to an unborn baby. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether Biaxin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not give this medicine to a child younger than 6 months of age.