How long does it take for Biaxin to work?
In most cases, it should only take a few days for Biaxin (clarithromycin) to reduce the symptoms of your infection and make you feel better. For some infections, it may take longer for signs and symptoms to go away. For example, clarithromycin can take around 7 days to have a noticeable effect on skin infections such as cellulitis.
Biaxin may also take longer than a few days to resolve symptoms of a stomach infection caused by the bacteria Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). Even if the drug has eliminated the H. pylori bacteria, symptoms can persist if the infection caused an ulcer to form. In this case, your doctor may prescribe an acid-reducing medication as well.
Clarithromycin is typically prescribed as a 7- to 14-day treatment, meaning that even if your symptoms have resolved after a few days, you will still need to continue taking the medication until you’ve completed the entire course of treatment. Stopping the medication early can result in bacteria being left behind, potentially leading to antibiotic resistance and increasing the risk that the infection returns.
The half-life of clarithromycin can range from 3 to 4 hours for a lower dose (250 mg) to 5 to 7 hours for a higher dose (500 mg). This means that 250 mg of clarithromycin will be completely eliminated from the body 16 to 22 hours after taking it, while 500 mg of clarithromycin will be eliminated about a day and a half following the last dose.
References
- National Health Service (NHS). Clarithromycin. December 6, 2018. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/clarithromycin/. [Accessed September 27, 2021].
- U.S. National Library of Medicine MedlinePlus. Clarithromycin. June 15, 2020. Available at: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a692005.html. [Accessed September 27, 2021].
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). BIAXIN® Filmtab® (clarithromycin tablets, USP) BIAXIN® XL Filmtab® (clarithromycin extended-release tablets) BIAXIN® Granules (clarithromycin for oral suspension, USP). June 2012. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2012/050662s048,050698s029,050775s018lbl.pdf. [Accessed September 27, 2021].
Read next
Is Biaxin good for a tooth infection or abscess?
Biaxin (clarithromycin) is not a first-line treatment for tooth infections or abscesses. Instead, amoxicillin or penicillin are typically used. For patients with a penicillin allergy, the American Dental Association recommends cephalexin or azithromycin as alternatives. However, for most dental infections, the use of any antibiotics is not recommended. Continue reading
Can you take Biaxin if you’re allergic to penicillin?
Yes, you can safely take Biaxin (clarithromycin) if you are allergic to penicillin. Clarithromycin and penicillin are both antibiotics, but they are in different antibiotic classes. Continue reading
Can Biaxin cause yeast infections?
After taking a full course of antibiotics such as Biaxin (clarithromycin), it is possible that you may develop a yeast infection, also called thrush. This is because Biaxin increases the likelihood of a candida albicans imbalance. Continue reading
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Drug information
- Biaxin Information for Consumers
- Biaxin prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side Effects of Biaxin (detailed)
- Biaxin user reviews (91)
Related support groups
- Biaxin (7 questions, 16 members)