Clarithromycin for children: instructions for use

Macrolide antibiotics are widely used in pediatrics, as they have shown their effectiveness in many infectious diseases, and their spectrum of antimicrobial influence is quite wide. One of these drugs is Clarithromycin. This drug is often used in adults with angina, sinusitis, pneumonia, peptic ulcer and other pathologies. If the medication was prescribed to a child, parents should know more about its effect, permissible dosages and possible adverse effects before the start of the reception.

Clarithromycin is produced by various Russian pharmaceutical companies, as well as some manufacturers from other countries, for example, the Israeli company Teva or the Czech company Zentiva. In the name of the drug, sometimes there is a second word indicating the manufacturer, for example, Clarithromycin-OBL releases FP Obolensky.

In most cases, the drug is presented in coated tablets or capsules. "Clarithromycin-J" is available in an injectable form, but it is contraindicated in patients under 18 years old, so we will not consider such a drug. Typically, the tablet “Clarithromycin” has an oval shape and white color, less commonly round and yellow tablets. One pack may contain 5, 7, 14 or more tablets or capsules.

The main ingredient of the drug has the same name, that is called clarithromycin. Its amount in one tablet / capsule may be 250 mg or 500 mg. Among the auxiliary components of the drug from different manufacturers, one can see povidone, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, lactose, croscarmellose sodium and other compounds.

In clarithromycin, the ability to suppress the synthesis of protein molecules in bacterial cells is noted, as a result of which the development of microorganisms slows down (this effect is called bacteriostatic specialists). As mentioned above, the spectrum of the effect of the drug on pathogens is very extensive, which allows its use in various diseases.

In the annotation to the drug indicated that "Clarithromycin" affects pneumococci, gonococci, Staphylococcus aureus, pyogenic streptococci, hemophilic sticks, Helicobacter pylori, mycoplasma pneumonia, mycobacteria, clostridia, chlamydia and many other microorganisms. With respect to some strains, such an agent also has bactericidal activity, that is, with some infections, tablets destroy microbial cells.

Because of the wide range of antibacterial action, Clarithromycin is used in the treatment of various diseases when their cause is bacteria that are sensitive to the drug. He is appointed:

• with pneumonia, inflammation of the bronchi, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, sinusitis and other infections of the respiratory tract;
• inflammation of soft tissues and skin, if it is caused by harmful microorganisms;
• in case of peptic ulcer to eliminate Helicobacter pylori (an antibiotic is included in the treatment complex, but usually this combination is prescribed only for adults);
• when infected with mycobacteria.

"Clarithromycin" is prescribed to children over 12 years old, since this medicine is available in solid form with a fixed dosage, and it is impossible to open the capsule or divide the tablet into parts.

In addition to early childhood, the use of such an antibiotic is prohibited if the patient has hypersensitivity to clarithromycin or any auxiliary component of the drug, as well as with porphyria. In case of kidney diseases or abnormal liver function, the drug is used with caution.

Treatment with Clarithromycin can cause nausea, taste changes, nervous agitation, diarrhea, stomatitis, vomiting, urticaria, muscle pain, cramps, and other negative effects in some patients.

"Clarithromycin" is usually taken twice a day, and the diet does not affect the time of administration. Pill or capsule swallow and drink water. A single dosage depends on the disease and most often is 250 mg, but if necessary rises to 500 mg. The duration of the reception should be determined by the doctor, but usually the drug is prescribed for 7–10 days, and for severe infections - for 14 days.

An excessively high dose of “Clarithromycin” causes dyspepsia symptoms or negative effects from the nervous system. In such a situation, gastric lavage is performed and symptomatic agents are given.

There are drugs that should not be given while taking Clarithromycin, for example, cyclosporine, phenytoin, zidovudine, or theophylline. All of them are listed in the paper instructions for use, which are put in a box with blisters. In addition, if the child is already taking any medications, the question of their compatibility should be decided together with the attending physician.

To purchase Clarithromycin at a pharmacy, you must first take a prescription for such an antibiotic from your doctor. The cost of the drug depends on the manufacturer and dosage, as well as the number of tablets / capsules in one pack. For example, the average price of 14 capsules of 250 mg from the Vertex company is 220 rubles. For 10 tablets with a dosage of 500 mg from the company "Ozone" you need to pay only 150 rubles, and the price of the same number of tablets with the same dose called "Clarithromycin-Teva" is 300-320 rubles.

Special conditions for the storage of "Clarithromycin" is not necessary. The drug should be kept at room temperature, putting the packaging in a place hidden from children. Shelf life is usually 2 or 3 years. It should be clarified before taking the antibiotic on the package in order not to accidentally give the child an expired medication.

About treatment "Clarithromycin" there are different reviews. In some, the drug is called effective and confirms that it helped cure a sore throat, otitis media, bronchitis, or another infection. In this case, the advantages include the availability and low cost. However, in many reviews complain about the appearance of side effects, as well as age restrictions and the absence of a liquid form.

Instead of "Clarithromycin," the child can be given "Klacid"Because this antibiotic contains the same active compound and is used for the same indications. One of its main advantages, despite the higher cost, is that "Klacid"Available not only in pills and lyophilisate for injection, but also in powder.

Such a powder is used to make a suspension with a dosage of 125 mg or 250 mg of clarithromycin in 5 ml, which is convenient to give to the smallest patients.It is used in the treatment of children older than six months, and in pills "Klacid"Prescribed from the age of three. Replace "Clarithromycin" and "Klacid"Capable of other tablets that contain clarithromycin, for example," Klabuks ","Fromilid"Or" Clarbact. "

In addition, the doctor may prescribe a small patient and some other macrolide antibacterial drug.

• «Azitrox». This medicine is available in several forms, but children are most often given a suspension, because it is allowed from six months of age. His counterparts are drugs "Hemomycin», «AzitRus», «Azithromycin», «Sumamed"," Ecomed "and others.
• «Macropene». Such an antibiotic in the granules from which a banana syrup is obtained can be used from birth. Tablet form "Macropena"Prescribed from 3 years. The basis of this drug is midecamycin.
• «Vilprafen». Such coated tablets containing josamycin can be used with a patient weighing more than 10 kg, but they are usually prescribed for children over 3-4 years old. For the youngest patients, use a soluble form called "Vilprafen Solutab».

Read more about the drug "Clarithromycin" see the following video.