Klatril ( Clarithromycin )

Clarithromycin can be bacteriostatic or bactericidal in action, depending on the concentration as well as the particular organism and its inoculum. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of clarithromycin are generally two-fold lower than the MIC of erythromycin.

Clinical Pharmacology

Clarithromycin is rapidly and well absorbed from the gastro-intestinal tract after oral administration of clarithromycin. The microbiologically active metabolite 14-hydroxycalrithromycin is formed by first pass metabolism. Clarithromycin may be given without regard to meals as food does not affect the extent of bioavailability of clarithromycin. Food does slightly delay the onset of absorption of clarithromycin and formation of the 14-hydroxymelabolite. The pharmacokinetics of clarithromycin are non-linear; however, steady state is attained with 2days of dosing. At 250 mg bid daily 15-20% of unchanged drug is excreted in the urine. With 500mg b.i.d daily dosing urinary excretion is greater (app.36%).