Biaxin XL (Clarithromycin) - Summary

BIAXIN XL SUMMARY

Clarithromycin is a semi-synthetic macrolide antibiotic.

BIAXIN Filmtab (clarithromycin tablets, USP) and BIAXIN Granules (clarithromycin for oral suspension, USP) are indicated for the treatment of mild to moderate infections caused by susceptible strains of the designated microorganisms in the conditions as listed below:

Pharyngitis/Tonsillitis due to Streptococcus pyogenes (The usual drug of choice in the treatment and prevention of streptococcal infections and the prophylaxis of rheumatic fever is penicillin administered by either the intramuscular or the oral route. Clarithromycin is generally effective in the eradication of S. pyogenes from the nasopharynx; however, data establishing the efficacy of clarithromycin in the subsequent prevention of rheumatic fever are not available at present.)

Acute maxillary sinusitis due to Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, or Streptococcus pneumoniae

Acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis due to Haemophilus influenzae, Haemophilus parainfluenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, or Streptococcus pneumoniae

Community-Acquired Pneumonia due to Haemophilus influenzae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, or Chlamydia pneumoniae (TWAR)

Uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections due to Staphylococcus aureus, or Streptococcus pyogenes (Abscesses usually require surgical drainage.)

Disseminated mycobacterial infections due to Mycobacterium avium, or Mycobacterium intracellulare

BIAXIN (clarithromycin) Filmtab tablets in combination with amoxicillin and PREVACID (lansoprazole) or PRILOSEC (omeprazole) Delayed-Release Capsules, as triple therapy, are indicated for the treatment of patients with H. pylori infection and duodenal ulcer disease (active or five-year history of duodenal ulcer) to eradicate H. pylori.

BIAXIN Filmtab tablets in combination with PRILOSEC (omeprazole) capsules or TRITEC (ranitidine bismuth citrate) tablets are also indicated for the treatment of patients with an active duodenal ulcer associated with H. pylori infection. However, regimens which contain clarithromycin as the single antimicrobial agent are more likely to be associated with the development of clarithromycin resistance among patients who fail therapy. Clarithromycin-containing regimens should not be used in patients with known or suspected clarithromycin resistant isolates because the efficacy of treatment is reduced in this setting.

In patients who fail therapy, susceptibility testing should be done if possible. If resistance to clarithromycin is demonstrated, a non-clarithromycin-containing therapy is recommended. (For information on development of resistance see Microbiology section.) The eradication of H. pylori has been demonstrated to reduce the risk of duodenal ulcer recurrence.

Pharyngitis/Tonsillitis due to Streptococcus pyogenes

Community-Acquired Pneumonia due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, or Chlamydia pneumoniae (TWAR)

Acute maxillary sinusitis due to Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, or Streptococcus pneumoniae

Acute otitis media due to Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, or Streptococcus pneumoniae

NOTE: For information on otitis media, see CLINICAL STUDIES: Otitis Media.

Uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections due to Staphylococcus aureus, or Streptococcus pyogenes (Abscesses usually require surgical drainage.)

Disseminated mycobacterial infections due to Mycobacterium avium, or Mycobacterium intracellulare

BIAXIN XL Filmtab (clarithromycin extended-release tablets) are indicated for the treatment of adults with mild to moderate infection caused by susceptible strains of the designated microorganisms in the conditions listed below:

Acute maxillary sinusitis due to Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, or Streptococcus pneumoniae

Acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis due to Haemophilus influenzae, Haemophilus parainfluenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, or Streptococcus pneumoniae

Community-Acquired Pneumonia due to Haemophilus influenzae, Haemophilus parainfluenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Chlamydia pneumoniae (TWAR), or Mycoplasma pneumoniae

THE EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF BIAXIN XL IN TREATING OTHER INFECTIONS FOR WHICH OTHER FORMULATIONS OF BIAXIN ARE APPROVED HAVE NOT BEEN ESTABLISHED.

BIAXIN Filmtab tablets and BIAXIN Granules for oral suspension are indicated for the prevention of disseminated Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) disease in patients with advanced HIV infection.

To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of BIAXIN and other antibacterial drugs, BIAXIN should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria. When culture and susceptibility information are available, they should be considered in selecting or modifying antibacterial therapy. In the absence of such data, local epidemiology and susceptibility patterns may contribute to the empiric selection of therapy.

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NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Published Studies Related to Biaxin XL (Clarithromycin)

Cethromycin versus clarithromycin for community-acquired pneumonia: comparative efficacy and safety outcomes from two double-blinded, randomized, parallel-group, multicenter, multinational noninferiority studies. [2012]
Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) continues to be a major health challenge in the United States and globally. Factors such as overprescribing of antibiotics and noncompliance with dosing regimens have added to the growing antibacterial resistance problem...

Clarithromycin therapy for patients with cystic fibrosis: a randomized controlled trial. [2012]
The clinically significant actions of oral azithromycin in modifying progressive cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease have been well documented. In vitro and clinical data suggests that clarithromycin has immunomodulatory properties similar to other 14-member macrolides, however two previously reported short term, open label trials of clairthromycin in small numbers of patients with CF failed to show significant benefits in modifying lung function or inflammation...

Clarithromycin, as an adjunct to non surgical periodontal therapy for chronic periodontitis: a double blinded, placebo controlled, randomized clinical trial. [2011.10]
OBJECTIVE: Along with conventional non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) systemic antimicrobials may provide more effective treatment for chronic periodontitis by targeting tissue-invasive bacteria. The aim of this randomized, placebo-controlled, double-masked clinical trial was to evaluate the adjunctive effects of oral clarithromycin (CLM) to non-surgical periodontal therapy for chronic periodontitis... CONCLUSIONS: The utilisation of CLM in combination with SRP improves the efficacy of NSPT in reducing PD, improving CAL and in lessening microbial loads. Hence, CLM may be beneficial in the non-surgical treatment regimen of chronic periodontitis. Copyright (c) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A comparison between the effectiveness of erythromycin, single-dose clarithromycin and topical fusidic acid in the treatment of erythrasma. [2011.09.18]
Abstract Although erythrasma is a superficial skin infection, there is no consensus on the treatment model of erythrasma... Conclusion: Topical fusidic acid proved to be the most effective treatment; however, clarithromycin therapy may be an alternative regimen in the treatment of erythrasma because of its efficiency and better patient's compliance.

Inhibition of cytochrome P450 3A by clarithromycin uniformly affects the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of oxycodone in young and elderly volunteers. [2011.06]
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the cytochrome P450 3A4 inhibitor clarithromycin on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of oral oxycodone in young and elderly subjects.Although the pharmacological response to oxycodone was not significantly influenced by clarithromycin, dose reductions may be necessary in the most sensitive patients to avoid adverse effects when oxycodone is used concomitantly with clarithromycin.

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Clinical Trials Related to Biaxin XL (Clarithromycin)

Comparative Study of 5 Days of M02-472 Clarithromycin Extended-Release Tablets to 7 Days of Clarithromycin Immediate-Release Tablets for the Treatment of Exacerbation of Chronic Bronchitis [Completed]
To compare the efficacy of a 5-day course of clarithromycin extended-release tablets (2 x 500 mg QD) with that of a 7-day course of clarithromycin immediate-release tablets (1 x 500 mg BID) in the treatment of acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis.

Comparative Bioavailability Study of Clarithromycin 250 mg Tablets [Completed]
The objective of this study was to investigate the bioequivalence of Genpharm's clarithromycin tablets following a single, oral 250 mg (1 x 250 mg) dose compared to the Biaxin® filmtab® (Abbott Laboratories USA) administered under fasted conditions. Thirty-four (34) healthy, light-, non- or ex-smoking subjects of at least 18 a years of age were randomized, in this four-period, two-treatment crossover bioequivalence study conducted by Eric Sicard, M. D. at Algorithme Pharma Inc. Montreal, Canada.

Statistical analysis of the data reveals that 90% confidence intervals are within the acceptable bioequivalent range of 80% and 125% for the natural log transformed parameters AUCT, AUCI and Cmax. This study demonstrates that Genpharm's clarithromycin 250 mg tablets are bioequivalent to Biaxin® filmtab® 250 mg tablets (Abbott Laboratories USA) administered under fasted conditions.

Biaxin Based Antibiotic Therapy in Previously Untreated, Advanced Stage Indolent Lymphoma [Recruiting]
The purpose of this study is to see if a treatment with Biaxin (clarithromycin) which is an antibiotic given by mouth for 3 months can delay the growth of your lymphoma or shrink the lymphoma. We would also like to see how Biaxin (clarithromycin) works on lymphoma and blood cells. There is some evidence that this medication may change the behavior of lymphocytes, in addition to its known anti-infection activity.

Clarithromycin for the Treatment of Hypersomnia [Recruiting]
The term 'hypersomnia' describes a group of symptoms that includes severe daytime sleepiness and sleeping long periods of time (more than 10 hours per night). Sometimes, hypersomnia is caused by a problem with the quality of sleep occurring at night, for instance when nighttime sleep is disrupted by frequent breathing pauses. In other cases, however, hypersomnia occurs even when nighttime sleep is of good quality. These cases of hypersomnia are presumed to be a symptom of brain dysfunction, and so are referred to as hypersomnias of central (i. e., brain) origin.

The causes of most of these central hypersomnias are not known. However, our group has recently identified a problem with the major brain chemical responsible for sedation, known as GABA. In a subset of our hypersomnia patients, there is a naturally-occurring substance that causes the GABA receptor to be hyperactive. In essence, it is as though these patients are chronically medicated with Valium (or Xanax or alcohol, all substances that act through the GABA system), even though they do not take these medications.

Current treatment of central hypersomnias is limited. For the fraction of cases with narcolepsy, there are FDA-approved, available treatments. However, for the remainder of patients, there are no treatments approved by the FDA. They are usually treated with medications approved for narcolepsy, but sleep experts agree that these medications are often not effective for this group of patients.

Based on our understanding of the GABA abnormality in these patients, we evaluated whether clarithromycin (an antibiotic approved by the FDA for the treatment of infections) would reverse the GABA abnormality. In a test tube model of this disease, clarithromycin does in fact return the function of the GABA system to normal. The investigators have treated a few patients with clarithromycin and most have felt that their hypersomnia symptoms improved with this treatment.

To determine whether clarithromycin is truly beneficial for central hypersomnia, this study will compare clarithromycin to an inactive pill (the placebo). All subjects will receive both clarithromycin and the placebo at different times, and their reaction times and symptoms will be compared on these two treatments to determine if one is superior. If this study shows that clarithromycin is more effective than placebo in the treatment of hypersomnia, it will identify a potential new therapy for this difficult-to-treat disorder.

Comparative Bioavailability Study of Clarithromycin 500 mg Tablets in Fed State [Completed]
The objective of this study was to investigate the bioequivalence of Genpharm's clarithromycin tablets following a single, oral 500 mg (1 x 500 mg) dose compared to the Biaxin® filmtab® (Abbott Laboratories USA) administered under fed conditions. Forty-four (44) healthy, light-, non- or ex-smoking subjects of at least 18 a years of age were randomized, in this two-period, two-treatment crossover bioequivalence study conducted by Eric Sicard, M. D. at Algorithme Pharma Inc. Montreal, Canada.

Statistical analysis of the data reveals that 90% confidence intervals are within the acceptable bioequivalent range of 80% and 125% for the natural log transformed parameters AUCT, AUCI and Cmax. This study demonstrates that Genpharm's clarithromycin 500 mg tablets are bioequivalent to Biaxin® filmtab® 500 mg tablets (Abbott Laboratories USA) administered under fed conditions.

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Reports of Suspected Biaxin XL (Clarithromycin) Side Effects

Paranoia (4),  Dysgeusia (3),  Fear (2),  Suicidal Ideation (2),  Mood Swings (2),  Hallucination (2),  Eye Disorder (2),  Mydriasis (2),  Dyspnoea (2),  Nausea (2), more >>

PATIENT REVIEWS / RATINGS / COMMENTS

Biaxin XL review by 22 year old male patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Considerably Effective
Side effects:		Severe Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		Sinusitis
Dosage & duration:		500 Mg taken 2 tablets once a day for the period of 1 day
Other conditions:		None
Other drugs taken:		Methylprednisolone
		Reported Results
Benefits:		Reduce the infect quite a bit after the initial dosage. Made it easier to breath and reduced my fever and body ache.
Side effects:		I suffered from hallucinations and nightmares, also the tablet left a bad taste in the mouth for 7 to 8 hours. There was moderate sweating. However, the hallucinations made it hard to get proper sleep.
Comments:		I was given 2ml of Methylprednisolone to reduce the inflammation of my sinusitis and to reduce the infect i was given Clarithromycin. I was ordered to take 2 tablets of 500mg once a day after meal.