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Other brands with the same active ingredient
These brands contain the same active ingredient (Clarithromycin). Same strength and form. Confirm the switch with your doctor or pharmacist.
Indications & Uses
Pharmacology
Clarithromycin works by stopping bacteria from making proteins. It mainly attaches to the 50S subunit of the bacterial ribosome, the part of the cell that builds proteins, and blocks the step where the growing protein chain moves along. Without that step, the bacteria cannot grow and multiply properly.
The medicine is effective against most Gram-positive bacteria, against Chlamydia, against some Gram-negative bacteria, and against Mycoplasma. In laboratory tests, its action against most Gram-positive bacteria is the same as or stronger than that of Erythromycin. Clarithromycin is more stable in stomach acid than Erythromycin, which is why it is generally better tolerated. Against H. influenzae, it is about twice as active as Erythromycin.
Most Gram-negative bacteria resist Clarithromycin, because the medicine cannot get through their outer layer to reach its target.
Dosage Reference
Reference Information Only
Dosages shown are general references from official sources. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized dosing.
Adults:
Adults: For an acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis, the usual dose is 250 mg to 500 mg every 12 hours for 7 to 14 days. For acute maxillary sinusitis, 500 mg is given every 12 hours for 14 days. For community-acquired pneumonia, the dose is 250 mg every 12 hours for 7 to 14 days. For pharyngitis or tonsillitis, 250 mg is given every 12 hours for 10 days. For uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections, the dose is 250 mg every 12 hours for 7 to 14 days. For treatment and prophylaxis of disseminated Mycobacterium avium disease, 500 mg is given every 12 hours until the patient is considered at low risk of disseminated infection.
Combination dosing regimens for H. pylori infection are as follows. In triple therapy with clarithromycin, lansoprazole and amoxicillin, the recommended adult dosage is 500 mg clarithromycin, 30 mg lansoprazole and 1 g amoxicillin, all given every 12 hours for 10 or 14 days. In triple therapy with clarithromycin, omeprazole and amoxicillin, the recommended adult dosage is 500 mg clarithromycin, 20 mg omeprazole and 1 g amoxicillin, all given every 12 hours for 10 or 14 days. In patients who have an ulcer present at the start of therapy, an additional 14 or 18 days of omeprazole 20 mg once daily is recommended for ulcer healing and symptom relief. In dual therapy with clarithromycin and omeprazole, the recommended adult dosage is 500 mg clarithromycin given every 8 hours and 40 mg omeprazole given once every morning for 14 days, with an additional 14 days of omeprazole 20 mg once daily recommended for ulcer healing and symptom relief.
Children: The recommended daily dosage is 15 mg/kg/day divided every 12 hours for 10 days. For treatment and prophylaxis of mycobacterial infections in pediatric patients, the recommended dose is 7.5 mg/kg every 12 hours, up to 500 mg every 12 hours.
Renal and hepatic impairment: Clarithromycin is excreted principally via the liver and kidney. It may be administered without dosage adjustment to patients with hepatic impairment and normal renal function. However, in the presence of severe renal impairment, with or without coexisting hepatic impairment, a decreased dose or prolonged dosing interval may be appropriate.
Side Effects
Binoclar is generally well tolerated. Side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain. Stomatitis and glossitis have also been reported. Other side effects include headache and allergic reactions ranging from urticaria and mild skin reactions to anaphylaxis. Taste perversion may occur. There have been reports of transient central nervous system side effects including anxiety, dizziness, insomnia and hallucination.
Cautions & Contraindications
Warnings & Precautions
Binoclar should be stopped if severe acute hypersensitivity reactions occur. It should be avoided in patients with known QT prolongation, those taking drugs known to prolong the QT interval, ventricular arrhythmia, low blood potassium or magnesium levels, marked bradycardia, or those on Class IA or III antiarrhythmic medicines. Treatment should be stopped if signs and symptoms of hepatitis appear. In patients with coronary artery disease, there is an increased risk of death from any cause starting one year or more after treatment ends; this potential risk should be weighed against the benefits of treatment when prescribing Binoclar to these patients. If diarrhea develops, the patient should be assessed for Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea (CDAD). Worsening of myasthenia gravis has been reported in patients taking Binoclar.
Contraindications
Clarithromycin should not be used by anyone who is hypersensitive to it, to erythromycin, to other macrolide antibacterials, or to any other ingredient in this product. It should also be avoided by anyone who has previously developed cholestatic jaundice or liver dysfunction while taking clarithromycin.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Neonates and children can receive Clarithromycin, with the dose adjusted appropriately for the individual case. If a mother is being treated with Clarithromycin, her breast milk should not be given to her infant until the course of treatment is finished. Experience with Clarithromycin in pregnant patients remains limited, so its use in pregnancy is not recommended.
⚠️ Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Use in Special Populations
Use in children and adolescents: Clarithromycin has been shown to be safe and effective in children aged 6 months and older for pharyngitis or tonsillitis, community-acquired pneumonia, acute maxillary sinusitis, acute otitis media, and uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections. It has also been shown to be safe and effective for preventing disseminated Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) disease in children aged 20 months and older who have advanced HIV infection.
Nobody has studied the safety of Clarithromycin in MAC patients under 20 months of age. For children under 6 months, its safety and effectiveness have not been established.
Overdose
Reports say that taking a large amount of Clarithromycin can be expected to cause stomach and bowel (gastro-intestinal) symptoms. In one case, a patient with a history of bipolar disorder took 8 grams of Clarithromycin and showed altered mental status, paranoid behaviour, hypokalemia and hypoxemia.
Any adverse reactions that come with an overdose should be treated by promptly removing the drug that hasn't been absorbed, along with supportive measures. As with other macrolides, Clarithromycin serum levels are not expected to change appreciably with haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis.
⚠️ In an emergency call 999 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
Storage
Keep Clarithromycin in a cool, dry place, away from light and moisture. Once the suspension has been reconstituted, use it within 7 days if you keep it at room temperature, or within 14 days if you keep it in a refrigerator. Keep it out of reach of children.
Drug Interactions
Common questions about Maxbac 250 mg
What is Maxbac 250 mg Tablet?
Maxbac 250 mg Tablet is a medicine that contains Clarithromycin. It is made by Globe Pharmaceuticals Ltd. It belongs to the Macrolides group of medicines.
What is Maxbac used for?
Maxbac is used for: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Pneumonia, Bronchitis, Sinusitis, Pharyngitis, Tonsillitis, Peptic Ulcer, Helicobacter Pylori Infection, Skin and Soft Tissue Infection, Otitis Media.
What are the side effects of Maxbac?
Binoclar is generally well tolerated. Side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain.
Can I take Maxbac during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
Neonates and children can receive Clarithromycin, with the dose adjusted appropriately for the individual case. If a mother is being treated with Clarithromycin, her breast milk should not be given to her infant until the course of treatment is finished. Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
What happens if I take too much Maxbac?
Reports say that taking a large amount of Clarithromycin can be expected to cause stomach and bowel (gastro-intestinal) symptoms. In one case, a patient with a history of bipolar disorder took 8 grams of Clarithromycin and showed altered mental status, paranoid behaviour, hypokalemia and hypoxemia. In an emergency call 999 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
How should I store Maxbac?
Keep Clarithromycin in a cool, dry place, away from light and moisture. Once the suspension has been reconstituted, use it within 7 days if you keep it at room temperature, or within 14 days if you keep it in a refrigerator.
Can I take other medicines with Maxbac?
Some medicines can interact with Clarithromycin, for example: Ticagrelor, Lovastatin, Disopyramide, Quetiapine, Colchicine, Simvastatin. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about every medicine you take.
Do I need a prescription for Maxbac?
Maxbac is a prescription (Rx) medicine. Take it as your doctor advises.