Klabax 500 mg

Description

In this leaflet you will find:

1. What Klavax is and what it is used for

2. Before you use Klabax

3. How to use Klavax

4. Possible side effects

5. How to store Klabax

6. Additional information

1. WHAT KLABAX IS AND WHAT IT IS USED FOR

Klabax contains an antibiotic called clarithromycin. Clarithromycin is indicated for the treatment of infections caused by one or more susceptible microorganisms:

– infections of the upper respiratory tract, such as sinusitis, pharyngitis;

– lower respiratory tract infections, such as acute bronchitis, exacerbation of chronic bronchitis, community-acquired pneumonia (in patients without risk factors, in the absence of signs of clinical severity and in the absence of clinical manifestations for pneumococcal etiology); in case of suspicion of atypical pneumonia, macrolides are indicated;

– angina with group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus, as an alternative to treatment with beta-lactams, especially if it cannot be used;

– mild to moderate infections of the skin and soft tissues;

– Mycobacterium avium infections in HIV-infected patients;

– dental infections;

– eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with gastroduodenal ulcer, in combination with another antibiotic and an antisecretory agent.

Klabax tablets are indicated for adults and children aged 12 years and over.

2. BEFORE YOU USE KLABAX

Do not use Klavax

– if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to clarithromycin, other macrolide antibiotics or any of the excipients of the medicine.

– if you are using medicines for the treatment of migraine that contain ergot alkaloids;

– if you are using medicines containing cisapride, pimozide, terfenadine, astemizole; taking these medicines together with clarithromycin may lead to heart rhythm disturbances (arrhythmias);

– if you have a history of heart rhythm disorders (arrhythmias);

– if you are taking medicines called statins (lovastatin, simvastatin)

– if you have severe liver failure. Clarithromycin should not be used if you have severe liver failure, in combination with kidney failure;

– if you have potassium deficiency (hypokalemia).

Klabax tablets are not recommended for use in children under 12 years of age.

Take special care when using Klabax

– if you have kidney and/or liver problems;

– if you suffer from heart problems;

– if you have fungal infections (mycosis);

– if you are taking other medicines at the same time;

– if you suffer from a disease called myasthenia gravis;

– if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant;

– if you are breastfeeding.

Consult your doctor if you suspect that you have or have had any of the above conditions.

Use of other medications

Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription.

Clarithromycin is metabolized in the liver and may inhibit the action of certain enzymes (P 450) required for the metabolism of other drugs. Reduced metabolism of these drugs means increased plasma concentrations and an increased risk of serious adverse reactions.

Therefore, the administration of Klabax together with terfenadine and astemizole (antiallergics), cisapride (a prokinetic), pimozide (a neuroleptic) as well as some antimigraines (ergot alkaloids) is contraindicated (see section “Do not use Klabax”)

In particular, tell your doctor if you are using:

– digoxin, quinidine or disopyramide (for heart problems);

– warfarin or other oral anticoagulants (for blood thinning);

– carbamazepine, valproate, phenobarbital, phenytoin (for epilepsy);

– atorvastatin, rosuvastatin (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors known as statins and used to lower blood cholesterol);

– colchicine (for gout);

– nateglinide, pioglitazone, repaglinide, rosiglitazone or insulin (to lower blood glucose);

– theophylline (for patients with breathing difficulties such as asthma);

– alprazolam, triazolam, midazolam (sedatives);

– cilostazol (for circulation problems);

– omeprazole (for the treatment of indigestion or stomach ulcers) unless your doctor has prescribed it for Helicobacter pylori infection associated with duodenal ulcers;

– methylprednisolone (a corticosteroid);

– vinblastine (cancer treatment);

– cyclosporine, sirolimus and tacrolimus (immunosuppressants);

– efavirenz, nevirapine, ritonavir, zidovudine, atazanavir and saquinavir (antivirals used in the treatment of HIV);

– rifabutin, itraconazole, rifapentine, fluconazole, itraconazole (treatment of certain infections);

– tolterodine (for an overactive bladder);

– verapamil (for high blood pressure);

– sildenafil, vardenafil and tadalafil (for impotence in adult men or for pulmonary arterial hypertension – high blood pressure in the lungs);

– St. John’s wort (for treating depression).

Klabax does not interact with oral contraceptives.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or are breast-feeding, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking Klabax as the safety of taking it is not known.

Klabax during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.

Driving and using machines

Clarithromycin does not affect the ability to drive or use machines. However, you should be aware that dizziness, vertigo, confusion and disorientation may occur during treatment with Klabax.

3. HOW TO TAKE KLABAX

Always take Klabax exactly as your doctor has told you. You should talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

Do not give these tablets to children under 12 years of age. Your doctor will prescribe another medicine suitable for your child.

Your doctor will decide what dose is right for your condition. Do not take more, more often, or for a longer period of time than your doctor has recommended.

For respiratory, sinus, skin or soft tissue infections:

The usual dose of Klacid tablets for adults and children over 12 years of age is 250 mg twice a day for 6 to 14 days, for example one 250 mg tablet in the morning and one 250 mg tablet in the evening.

Your doctor may increase the dose to 500 mg twice a day in severe infections.

For the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection associated with duodenal ulcers:

– the usual dose is 500 mg clarithromycin morning and evening in combination with 1000 mg amoxicillin morning and evening and 20 mg omeprazole morning and evening, for 7 days or

– the usual dose is 500 mg of clarithromycin morning and evening in combination with 1000 mg of amoxicillin morning and evening and 30 mg of lansoprazole morning and evening, for 7 days.

Amoxicillin can be replaced by metronidazole or tinidazole at a dose of 500 mg in the morning and evening.

If you take more Klabax than you should

If you have taken more Klabax tablets than your doctor has prescribed, tell your doctor immediately or go to the emergency department of your nearest hospital.