Comparing Clarithromycin vs Metronidazole

View side-by-side comparisons of medication uses, ratings, cost, side effects and interactions.
Clarithromycin Remove Clarithromycin from your drug comparison	Metronidazole Remove Metronidazole from your drug comparison	Add another drug to compare

Clarithromycin

Metronidazole

Prescribed for Dental Abscess, Bronchitis, Bacterial Endocarditis Prevention, Helicobacter Pylori Infection, Legionella Pneumonia, Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare - Prophylaxis, Mycobacterium... View more

Metronidazole is an antibiotic that is particularly effective at treating infections caused by susceptible anaerobic bacteria and parasites. Alcohol and products containing propylene glycol should... View more

Prescription only

Ratings & Reviews

View all 770 reviews

View all 2278 reviews

Drug Class

Macrolides

Side Effects

Commonly reported side effects include: dysgeusia.

See the full clarithromycin side effects document.

See the full metronidazole side effects document.

Pricing and Coupons

* Prices are without insurance

Quantity	30 each
Dosage	500 mg
Per Unit^*	$1.97
Cost^*	$59.04

View all clarithromycin prices

Quantity	1 tablet
Dosage	500 mg
Per Unit^*	$9.72
Cost^*	$9.72

View all metronidazole prices

Get free Discount Card

Generic Availability

Yes (this medicine)

Dosage Form(s) Available

Oral powder for reconstitution
Oral tablet
Oral tablet, extended release

Intravenous solution
Oral capsule
Oral tablet

Brand Names

Biaxin XL Flagyl, Flagyl 375, Flagyl IV, Metro, Metro IV

Half Life

The half-life of a drug is the time taken for the plasma concentration of a drug to reduce to half its original value.

7 hours

20 hours

CSA Schedule**

View glossary of terms.

Not a controlled drug

Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.

Not a controlled drug

Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.

Pregnancy Category

Category C Risk cannot be ruled out

See the full Pregnancy Warnings document.

Category B No proven risk in humans

See the full Pregnancy Warnings document.

Drug Interactions

A total of 639 drugs are known to interact with clarithromycin:

217 major drug interactions (659 brand and generic names)
375 moderate drug interactions (1604 brand and generic names)
47 minor drug interactions (158 brand and generic names)

A total of 329 drugs are known to interact with metronidazole:

10 major drug interactions (29 brand and generic names)
316 moderate drug interactions (1050 brand and generic names)
3 minor drug interactions (15 brand and generic names)

Alcohol/Food/Lifestyle Interactions

No known alcohol/food interactions. This does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.

Consumption of alcoholic beverages or products containing alcohol or propylene glycol during... View more

Disease Interactions

First Approval Date

October 31, 1991

July 18, 1963

WADA Class

View World Anti-Doping Agency classifications.

N/A

More Information

Patient resources

Professional Resources

Related Treatment Guide

** The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) schedule information displayed applies to substances regulated under federal law. There may be variations in CSA schedules between individual states.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer