Clarithromycin Warning!

Clarithromycin Warning!

Being Alive; August 1996

Don't take more than 1000 mg/day of Clarithromycin (Biaxin)! As a result of activist pressure at the Vancouver conference, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) sent out a clinical alert to all physicians on July 23.

A clinical trial comparing different doses of clarithromycin to other drugs for prophylaxis or treatment of MAC infection was stopped prematurely last winter when the independent safety monitors found an elevated death rate among those in one arm of the study who were given 2000 mg/day (four 500mg tablets) of clarithromycin.

The NIH immediately notified all participants in the trial, but did not think a clinical alert was warranted because officials believed very few PWAs were being prescribed the higher does. The drug is approved for use at 1000 mg/day (or one 500mg tablet twice a day); however, some doctors prescribe it at the higher dose to try to know out pesky MAC and other infections. Should your doctor be a bit out of the information loop, tell him or her and don't take the high dose!

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AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted grants from Roxane Laboratories, the National Library of Medicine, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1996. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

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This information is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
©1996. AEGIS.