Name: Clarithromycin
Published: Sep 12, 2023

Clarithromycin

We’ll deliver to you by

Price checker

Prices include:

Express shipping
24 hour shipping by secure courier.
Consultation + Access to our clinicians
Ask our experts anything you like, any time you want.
Total
£49.95

Save £0.00 each order

Reviewed on Sep 12, 2023. by Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell Writer & Clinical Content Reviewer Next review due on September 13, 2026.

Last updated on Sep 12, 2023.

Product info

Clarithromycin is an oral antibiotic that treats impetigo.
It stops the bacteria from spreading, which helps clear the infection.
It’s taken twice daily, with the infection clearing within a week.

Price checker

Prices include:

Express shipping
24 hour shipping by secure courier.
Consultation + Access to our clinicians
Ask our experts anything you like, any time you want.
Total
£49.95

Save £0.00 each order

Clarithromycin: essential info
Clarithromycin: instructions
Important stuff you need to know
FAQ

What is Clarithromycin?

Clarithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic tablet. Macrolides are used to treat a variety of bacterial infections, including pneumonia, tonsillitis and sinusitis. These antibiotics are also used to treat sexually transmitted infections, and skin conditions like impetigo.^[1]

Impetigo is a contagious skin infection that usually starts with red sores and blisters. When the blisters burst, they can leave crusty patches (often golden-brown coloured) on your skin that appear stuck-on. The patches can sometimes get bigger and spread to other parts of your body.^[2]

How does Clarithromycin work?

Impetigo is a bacterial infection, and the two types that normally affect people are non-bullous impetigo (the most common type) and bullous impetigo. Because the condition is highly contagious, it can affect anyone, although it’s typically children that are the most likely to develop it.

Macrolide antibiotics work by stopping the bacteria that causes infection to spread.

Non-bullous impetigo usually causes red sores around the nose and mouth, but it can also spread to other parts of the face and sometimes limbs. When the sores burst, they leave behind small crusts (that often look like cornflakes) on the skin. Usually, the sores are more irritating than they are painful. Scratching them can spread the infection, both around your body and to others. The time it takes for the sores to heal without treatment can vary from a couple of days to several weeks.

Symptoms of bullous impetigo are slightly different from the more common non-bullous strain. It can cause bullae, which are blisters filled with fluid, in the middle of your body and sometimes on the arms and legs. The blisters can spread fast, and are often painful. Bullous impetigo can also cause fever-like symptoms, and swollen glands.^[3]

Clarithromycin should work within 5-7 days. As your infection starts to clear, you should see the sores begin to heal. Impetigo doesn’t usually cause long-term scarring.

What doses of Clarithromycin are there?

There are two doses of Clarithromycin available: 250mg and 500mg. The usual dose for treating skin infections is two 250mg tablets a day. People often take one in the morning, and another in the evening. A routine like this means you’re less likely to forget a tablet, or take more than you need.

If a clinician thinks your infection is severe, it might be recommended you switch doses and take two 500mg tablets a day. This is usually in cases where the regular 250mg tablets aren’t enough to clear your impetigo completely.

Treated trusted sources:

Patel, Parth H., and Muhammad F. Hashmi. “Macrolides.” PubMed, StatPearls Publishing, 2022,
“Impetigo.” Nhs.uk, 19 Oct. 2017,
“Impetigo Symptoms and Treatments.” Nhsinform.scot, 2020,

This page was written by The Treated Content Team.

This page was medically reviewed by Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell on September 13, 2023. Next review due on September 13, 2026.

How we source info.

When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.

How to take Clarithromycin

Clarithromycin tablets can be taken with or without food. Swallow the tablets with a glass of water. A clinician can advise you about the best time to take Clarithromycin. As it’s taken twice a day, the recommended way of taking your tablets is to separate them into one in the morning, and another in the evening.

Even if you start feeling better after a few days, you should continue to take your tablets until the full course of antibiotics is complete.

How long does Clarithromycin take to work?

You should see improvements in the first few days of taking Clarithromycin.^[2] The tablets come in packs of 14, which should be a long enough course to clear your infection.

Impetigo can get better without treatment in around two to three weeks, but a course of antibiotics can reduce the length of time you have the condition to around ten days, if not less.^[1]

You should take the entire course of tablets, even if you think you’re symptom free. Stopping Clarithromycin immediately might mean the infection hasn’t properly left your system, and puts you at risk of developing impetigo symptoms again.

What should I do if I make a mistake while using Clarithromycin?

If you think you’ve taken more medication than you should have, seek immediate medical attention by going to your nearest hospital.

Too much Clarithromycin can cause gastrointestinal discomfort.
If you forget to take a tablet at your usual time, you can swallow one as soon as you remember. If it’s nearly time for your next dose, though, then there’s no need to take the one you missed. Take the next tablet you’re due, and then get back into your usual dosage routine.

Treated trusted sources:

“Impetigo Symptoms and Treatments.” Nhsinform.scot, 2020,
“About Clarithromycin.” Nhs.uk, 28 Jan. 2022,

This page was written by The Treated Content Team.

This page was medically reviewed by Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell on September 13, 2023. Next review due on September 13, 2026.

How we source info.

FAQ: Clarithromycin

Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.

Is Clarithromycin similar to any other treatments?

Answer:

Antibiotics are often prescribed to treat impetigo, along with other bacterial skin infections such as cellulitis. They are usually either oral tablets, or topical ointments that can be applied to your skin. The treatment you’re recommended will usually depend on the severity of your symptoms and how they affect your daily life.

A clinician will usually want to see photos of your infection to determine how serious it seems, and which type of medication they think will work best to clear it.

Commonly used oral antibiotics for impetigo include flucloxacillin and erythromycin. Topical treatments like Fucidin and Bactroban cream are usually used for milder infections.

Clarithromycin doesn’t contain penicillin, so is a good option for anyone allergic to antibiotics that contain a type of penicillin (such as amoxicillin).

Will Clarithromycin cause any side effects?

Answer:

All medications have the potential to cause side effects. They affect everyone differently, so there’s no guarantee how your body will react to taking Clarithromycin tablets daily.

Common side effects include nausea, headaches, and difficulty sleeping. If you have an immediate response to the tablets, such as breathing problems or a severe skin rash, you should go to your nearest A & E department. Allergic reactions can cause serious harm, so you will need to get help right away.

Unlike some other antibiotics, you can drink alcohol while taking Clarithromycin. If you have pre existing kidney problems, your dose might be reduced by a clinician to make sure the tablets won’t cause you any problems.

How do people develop impetigo?

Answer:

Impetigo is usually caused by one of two types of bacteria, Staphylococcus or Streptococcus pyogenes. There are two ways impetigo can infect your skin:

Primary impetigo is caused by a break in the skin, such as a cut, injury, or insect bite (among others). Secondary impetigo is when damaged skin caused by an underlying condition, such as eczema or scabies, becomes infected.

The infection can be passed person-to-person through physical contact, or sharing towels and other toiletries. People with weakened immune systems (such as diabetics or anyone having chemotherapy) are the most at risk for developing impetigo.

Do I need a prescription for Clarithromycin?

Answer:

You’ll need a prescription to manage your impetigo with Clarithromycin.

Antibiotics aren’t available over the counter in the UK. A health professional will need to check they’re suitable for you.

Antiseptic creams that can soothe your impetigo symptoms are available from high street pharmacies, but there’s no guarantee they will clear your infection.