What Are the Side Effects of Biaxin?

Biaxin (generic: clarithromycin) is an antibiotic medication prescribed to treat bacterial infections such as sinusitis and bronchitis. Biaxin's potential side effects range from mild symptoms to dangerous allergic reactions that require medical attention.

• Biaxin is usually dispensed in pill form, but is also available as a powder for mixture as a suspension.

Side Effects

• According to the Mayo Clinic, Biaxin's common side effects include diarrhea, gas, heartburn and sour stomach. Severe side effects include black stools, difficulty swallowing, confusion and allergic symptoms such as hives, blistering skin and swelling of the face.

Treatment for Side Effects

• Common side effects do not require medical attention, but may continue throughout the duration of Biaxin therapy (usually 7 to 14 days). Severe side effects require immediate medical attention, as they can lead to respiratory failure, heart failure or stroke.

Effects of Biaxim on Pregnancy

• According to PDRHealth, Biaxin is cited to have adverse effects on a developing fetus, and thus women who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant should not take Biaxin unless other alternative therapies for curing bacterial infections have failed.

Discontinuation

• No side effects or withdrawal symptoms are associated with the discontinuation of Biaxin. Biaxin should not be used beyond its prescribed duration. Excessive use could lead to a resistance to antibiotics, making the medication ineffective against future bacterial infections.

Drug Interaction

• PDRHealth reports that when simultaneously taken with statins such as lovastatin, thioridazine and thioridazine or HIV medications such as didanosine and zidovudine, the effects of Biaxin may be increased, diminished or otherwise altered.