Clarithromycin (Biaxin) • What is clarithromycin? • WHY DO PEOPLE WITH HIV TAKE clarithromycin? • WHAT ABOUT DRUG RESISTANCE? • HOW TO TAKE KLARITROMIN? • WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS? • as clarithromycin interactions with other drugs? What is clarithromycin? Clarithromycin - a drug antibiotic. In the US, its brand name is Biaxin ®. In other countries it is known as Klatsid and Mavid.  Antibiotics fight infections that are caused by bacteria. Clarithromycin is used to fight opportunistic infections in people with HIV. It produces "Abbott" company. WHY DO PEOPLE WITH HIV TAKE clarithromycin? Clarithromycin is used to treat bacterial infections of mild or moderate severity. It acts against a variety of bacteria, especially chlamydia, haemophilus bacteria and streptococcus. These bacteria can infect the skin, lungs and nasal passages. Many bacteria live in our bodies, and are common in our environment. A healthy immune system can fight them and control them. However, HIV-infection could weaken the immune system. Infections that take advantage of weakened immune defenses are called "opportunistic infections". Opportunistic infections can occur in people with advanced HIV infection. For more information on opportunistic infections, see. Newsletter 500. People with very low CD4 cell count (below 50) may take clarithromycin to prevent opportunistic infections.  One opportunistic infection in people with HIV is MAC, which means Mycobacterium avium complex. For more information about the IAC see. Newsletter 514. The MAC may occur in people with CD4-cells less than 75. Clarithromycin in combination with other antibiotics commonly used for treating MAC. It can also be used to prevent MAC infection. If your level of CD4-cell count is below 75, talk to your doctor about the purpose of clarithromycin. Some people are allergic to clarithromycin and similar antibiotics. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are allergic to erythromycin or other antibiotics. WHAT ABOUT DRUG RESISTANCE? Whenever you take medication, be sure to take all the prescribed dose. Many people stop taking when they begin to feel better. This is not a good idea. If the drug does not kill all the bacteria, they can change (mutate) to survive even when you are taking medications. When this happens, the drug will stop working. This is called "developing resistance" to the drug. For example, if you are taking clarithromycin to fight MAC and you miss too many doses, the MAC in your body could develop resistance to clarithromycin. Then to deal with MAC you will be forced to take a different drug or combination of drugs. HOW TO TAKE KLARITROMIN? Clarithromycin tablets may be 250 or 500 milligrams (mg). This formulation is also available in powder form or in liquid form. The dose and the time of reception depends on the type of infection that you have.  The dosage for prevention of MAC infection is 500 mg every 12 hours. Treatment is continued until the number of CD4 cells you have is so low that it may be the MAC. If your CD4 cell count increases to 100 for 3 - 6 months, your doctor may recommend stopping clarithromycin. Typically, clarithromycin tablets taken without regard to meals. There is also an improved form of "Biaxin XL". Biaxin XL should be taken with food. Admission Biaxin with food to help reduce stomach upset. Take karitromitsin, washed down by a glass of water. WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS? Biaxin for acne 0,01 The side effects of clarithromycin mostly relate to the digestive system. It diarrhea, nausea, heartburn, and abdominal pain. Some people get headaches or rashes. Such side effects are very few people who take clarithromycin. Nevertheless, the majority of anti-HIV drugs also cause problems in the digestive system. Clarithromycin may intensify these problems. Clarithromycin is difficult for the liver. Your doctor is likely to carefully review your tests for the presence of any signs of liver damage. Tell your doctor if your urine becomes dark and the stool - light. Biaxin for acne 0,01 Antibiotics kill useful bacteria that normally live in the digestive system. You can eat yogurt or taking acidophilus supplements to restore these bacteria. As clarithromycin interactions with other drugs? Clarithromycin is processed by the liver. It can interact with other drugs that also use the liver. Clarithromycin probably interacts with all non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), some blood thinners, heart medications, asthma medications and other antibiotics. Make sure your doctor knows about all medications and supplements you are taking.  Protease inhibitor ritonavir (Norvir) or lopinavir (Kaletra) can increase blood levels of clarithromycin. Clarithromycin can change the level zidovurina (AZT, Retrovir) in the blood.