Twice daily antibiotic that clears sores and blisters.
Clarithromycin is an antibiotic tablet that can be used to treat impetigo. It’s taken twice a day, and should clear your infection within 5-7 days.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
You should see improvements in the first few days of taking Clarithromycin. 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Macrolides. [Updated May 16, 2023]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.
Clarithromycin: MedlinePlus Drug Information.
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Meet CraigDelivery, consultation, treatment. It’s all included in the price.
Quantity | Starting from |
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14 Tablets | £49.95 |
Quantity | Starting from |
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14 Tablets | £49.95 |
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