Clamisin

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Medically reviewed

Marina Burgos

Last updated on 10/01/2026

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Clamisin

Property Description
Active ingredient Clarithromycin
Form Film-coated tablet, Oral suspension
Pharmacological class Macrolide antibiotic
General Purpose Systemic antibacterial action
Origin Semi-synthetic

What Type of Medicine is Clamisin?

Clamisin is a systemic antibacterial agent that contains the active substance Clarithromycin. It is formally classified as a macrolide antibiotic, a specific group of medicines used to stop the proliferation of susceptible bacteria throughout the body. Clarithromycin is a globally recognized active substance used for these purposes.

The general purpose of Clamisin is to act against bacterial pathogens that cause various illnesses, working to reduce the bacterial population and assist the body's natural defense mechanisms in clearing the infection. This macrolide class is used in the management of various bacterial illnesses, and it is a prescription-only medication.


Clarithromycin: Composition and Origin

The efficacy of Clamisin is derived from its single active ingredient, Clarithromycin, which is a semi-synthetic compound. This means that while its structure is chemically modified in a laboratory, it is derived from the natural macrolide Erythromycin A. This semi-synthetic modification is recognized for providing the drug with greater stability and improved absorption when compared to its parent compound.

Clamisin is primarily available for oral administration in several dosage forms, including the film-coated tablet and preparations for oral suspension. The availability of the oral suspension form is a key distinguishing factor, facilitating precise administration and uptake for patients who may not be able to swallow solid dosage forms.


How Macrolide Antibiotics Function (High-Level Purpose)

The macrolide class achieves its therapeutic effect by imposing a bacteriostatic action on susceptible bacterial cells. This function essentially halts the growth and reproduction of the bacterial population, preventing the infection from worsening. This high-level mechanism is crucial because by stopping the multiplication of the pathogens, the medicine allows the patient's immune system sufficient time to locate, neutralize, and eliminate the remaining inhibited bacteria. The general benefit is supporting the transition from an active, spreading infection to a controllable, resolving state.

Regulatory References

  1. WHO Model List of Essential Medicines
  2. World Health Organization

What side effects are possible with Clamisin?

The safety profile of Clamisin, which contains Clarithromycin, is comprehensively documented in official regulatory materials. Adverse effects are classified by the likelihood of occurrence, consistent with the terminology of government health authorities, and are organized by the affected System-Organ-Class.

Common and Uncommon Adverse Reactions

The most frequently reported effects are generally classified as Common (ge 1/100 to < 1/10) and affect the Gastrointestinal Disorders system. These typically include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and taste alteration (dysgeusia). Other common reactions involve the Nervous System (e.g., headache) and Psychiatric Disorders (e.g., insomnia). Uncommon (ge 1/1000 to < 1/100) effects span multiple systems and may include vertigo, tinnitus, and increases in hepatic enzymes.

Documented Serious Safety Concerns

Clarithromycin has been associated with severe, although typically Not Known in frequency, adverse reactions. These include Ventricular Arrhythmia, specifically Torsade de Pointes, which relates to the prolongation of the QT interval on an electrocardiogram. Cases of Hepatic Failure (sometimes fatal) and severe cutaneous reactions, such as Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN), are also documented.

Safety Considerations and Restrictions

Safety statements identify populations requiring caution, such as older adults who may be more susceptible to cardiac effects. The medicine is contraindicated in individuals with a history of QT prolongation, uncorrected hypokalemia, or severe hepatic failure combined with renal impairment. The regulatory label also notes a specific restriction on concomitant use with certain medications known to prolong the QT interval.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Overdose and when to seek help

The following information details the officially documented signs of Clamisin (Clarithromycin) overdose and the mandatory actions required as stated in regulatory prescribing information.


Documented Overdose Manifestations

Element Regulatory Statement
Documented presentations Overdose is primarily associated with Gastrointestinal Disturbances, including Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea, and Abdominal pain. Transient hearing loss has also been noted with high-dose exposure.
Severe Outcomes There is a documented risk of life-threatening cardiac events, specifically prolongation of the QT interval and associated Torsades de pointes. Cases of severe hepatic dysfunction have also been reported.
Population Note Patients with severe renal impairment are at increased risk of toxicity due to slower drug clearance, which affects the severity of an overdose.

Official Emergency Response

Any suspected overdose requires immediate medical attention. Regulators mandate calling emergency services or a Poison Control Center for guidance.

Element Regulatory Statement
Antidote Status No specific antidote is known for Clarithromycin overdose.
Management Treatment is strictly symptomatic and supportive. Due to cardiac risks, continuous ECG monitoring is necessary. Procedures like gastric lavage may be considered early after ingestion. Hemodialysis is not effective for removal.

This profile defines the overdose situation as requiring urgent medical intervention due to the potential for severe cardiac and hepatic complications, emphasizing that treatment is limited to supportive care in the absence of a specific antidote.

Therapeutic Uses of Clamisin

What Clamisin Treats: Main Uses and Benefits


Clamisin (amoxicillin and clavulanic acid) is an antibiotic applied across domains where additional symptomatic support is needed for bacterial infections. This combination is commonly used to help with conditions that produce significant symptomatic burden in several key areas. It is relevant for easing symptoms linked to infections of the ears, lungs, sinus, skin, and urinary tract. This treatment may be part of symptomatic management for a range of conditions characterized by periods of heightened symptoms and is generally used in areas where short-term symptom management is appropriate.

The medicine is often used in clinical settings that involve acute or unstable symptom patterns, where the infectious process creates noticeable physiological strain. The formulation assists with maintaining functional stability and may help patients cope more steadily with symptom fluctuations seen in conditions involving episodic or fluctuating manifestations.

“This medicine contributes to improved comfort during periods of heightened symptoms and is applied in scenarios where additional management of discomfort is required.”

This medicine may assist with easing the overall symptom load and supports general well-being during symptomatic phases.

Quick Fact: Relief for Symptoms related to physical discomfort (e.g., pain, fever, swelling) may be part of symptomatic management during phases of increased distress or discomfort.

Regulatory References

  1. NIH MedlinePlus Drug Information

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Official Eligibility Rules for Clamisin (Clarithromycin)

Regulatory documents define strict population eligibility for Clamisin based on age, organ function, and pre-existing conditions. These rules determine who is allowed to use the medicine, who must use it under restriction, and who is absolutely prohibited from use.


Contraindicated Populations

Clamisin is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to clarithromycin or any macrolide antibiotic. Absolute prohibition also applies to individuals with a history of QT prolongation, ventricular cardiac arrhythmia, or those with severe hepatic failure combined with renal impairment.


Restricted and Non-Established Use

Age: The medicine is not suitable for children under 12 years in tablet form, and its safety and efficacy are not established in infants younger than 6 months. Older adults may require caution due to increased risk of renal or cardiac issues.

Organ Function: Use is restricted for patients with severe renal impairment; a dose adjustment is typically required. Caution is also advised in cases of impaired hepatic function.

Pregnancy and Lactation: Use during pregnancy is not recommended, particularly in the first trimester, unless a medical authority determines the benefit outweighs the risk. Clarithromycin is excreted into breast milk.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Interactions with other medicines and products

Clamisin (clarithromycin) is primarily metabolized by the CYP3A4 enzyme system and acts as an inhibitor of this enzyme. Coadministration with drugs that rely heavily on CYP3A4 for clearance can significantly increase their plasma concentrations, potentially leading to serious or life-threatening reactions.

Contraindicated Combinations:

  • Colchicine: Concomitant use with Clamisin is contraindicated, especially in patients with impaired kidney or liver function. This combination can result in fatal toxicity due to dangerously elevated colchicine levels, demanding immediate avoidance.

Other Significant Interactions and Precautions:

  • Oral Anticoagulants: Concomitant use with oral anticoagulants, such as warfarin, can potentiate their effects, increasing the risk of severe bleeding. Frequent monitoring of coagulation parameters is required.
  • Theophylline and Cilostazol: Clamisin may increase the systemic exposure of these agents, requiring a dosage reduction for the coadministered drug and close monitoring for toxicity.
  • Antiretroviral Agents: When used as part of triple therapy, the combination with certain antiretroviral drugs, such as Atazanavir or Nelfinavir, may lead to substantially decreased concentrations of the antiretroviral agent, making coadministration generally not recommended.
  • Tacrolimus: Use with Clamisin requires frequent monitoring of whole blood trough concentrations of Tacrolimus, as its serum levels may increase significantly.

Mechanism of Action

The active ingredient in Clamisin, Clarithromycin, produces defined physiological changes through two core mechanistic domains. The primary action is a highly targeted molecular interaction within the bacterial cell where Clarithromycin acts as a direct inhibitor. It binds specifically and reversibly to the 23S rRNA within the 50S ribosomal subunit . This binding physically obstructs the exit tunnel used by nascent proteins, effectively blocking the ribosome's translocation and halting the elongation of the peptide chain. The resulting physiological effect is a profound bacteriostatic arrest of the bacterial population, inhibiting its proliferation within host tissues. The drug's overall effect is supported by the active metabolite, 14-hydroxyclarithromycin, which shares the identical mechanism of protein synthesis inhibition, providing an additive antimicrobial contribution. Separately, Clarithromycin also engages a secondary mechanism that involves the downregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines (like IL-6 and IL-8) in host tissues. This activity modulates inflammatory signaling, contributing to the regulation of the host's physiological response concurrent with the antimicrobial effect.

Dosage and Administration Information

Clamisin (Clarithromycin) is administered through established routes, including oral forms (immediate-release tablets, extended-release tablets, and oral suspension) and Intravenous (IV) Infusion. The standard adult oral dosing regimen for immediate-release tablets is typically 250 mg twice daily, while the extended-release formulation is administered as 1000 mg once daily. Treatment courses generally range between 6 and 14 days to complete the course.

The proper administration of the medicine is conditional on its specific form. The extended-release tablet must be taken with food to ensure correct absorption, whereas the immediate-release tablet and oral suspension can be taken independently of meals. Procedural constraints dictate that the extended-release tablet must be swallowed whole and cannot be crushed, broken, or chewed. The liquid oral suspension requires the granules to be reconstituted with water and shaken prior to use, as specified in the product instructions.

Dosing is subject to adjustment based on patient physiology. For individuals with severe renal impairment (CrCl < 30 mL/min), the total daily dosage must be reduced by one-half. Furthermore, for children under 12, the tablet forms are typically substituted with the oral suspension at a weight-based dose, following a specific administration pattern for pediatric patients.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Clamisin: Recent Clinical Evidence


Evidence for Use in Acute Bacterial Infections

Research on Clamisin (Clarithromycin) has primarily involved short-term, comparative Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) designed to evaluate its use in studies related to approved acute bacterial illnesses, such as respiratory tract and skin infections. These studies aimed to measure the Bacteriological Eradication Rate and Clinical Cure Rate, observing changes in symptom expression over short, defined intervals. Findings indicate that research is still exploring the factor of growing macrolide resistance profiles.


Evidence for Use in Managing H. pylori and Ulcer Recurrence

Clamisin was evaluated in studies as part of a multi-drug combination therapy to eradicate Helicobacter pylori, which was studied in relation to reducing duodenal ulcer recurrence. Studies reported patterns in the Eradication Rate and the frequency of ulcer recurrence in observed groups. Research highlights challenges in areas where the H. pylori pathogen exhibits macrolide resistance, and long-term effects on the durability of ulcer non-recurrence beyond one year are not fully established.


Evidence for Use in Specific High-Risk Infections

Dedicated research explored Clamisin's use in highly specialized settings involving immunocompromised populations, such as adults and children with advanced HIV infection who have Disseminated Mycobacterium avium Complex (MAC) Infection. Studies monitored Clinical Response and the assessment of Overall Survival rates. Research focused on MAC is highly specialized, meaning results apply only to the specific populations studied.


Long-Term Studies and Extended Follow-up

Research has explored long-term post-treatment outcomes, primarily through one prospective, placebo-controlled trial (CLARICOR) that extended observation for up to 10 years in patients with stable coronary heart disease. This long-term observation was associated with specific changes measured during the study period, where the trial reported the long-term assessment of mortality rates in that group. Comparative evidence is lacking for long-term outcomes in patients without pre-existing heart disease.


Evidence in Specialized Populations and Research Uncertainty

Studies have included pediatric patients in trials for acute ear and respiratory infections, with findings described patterns in clinical response. However, data for certain groups, such as pregnant or breastfeeding populations, remain insufficient. Overall, evidence quality varies across studies, and research does not determine whether an individual will respond similarly to the group patterns observed.

Key Studies & References

  1. WHO Model List of Essential Medicines (World Health Organization)

How should Clamisin be stored and disposed of?

Storage and Disposal Requirements

Clamisin (clarithromycin) must be stored and handled according to specific conditions defined in official regulatory labeling to ensure stability and safety.

Storage Conditions

The tablets and granules must be stored at Controlled Room Temperature, defined as 20 C to 25 C (68 F to 77 F). The product must be kept in its original, tightly closed container and protected from moisture and light. The prepared oral suspension must not be refrigerated or frozen and is stable for 14 days after reconstitution, after which it must be discarded.

Disposal Instructions

All unused or expired Clamisin should be disposed of using a drug take-back program. If this is unavailable, it should be mixed with an unpalatable substance (like coffee grounds or dirt) and placed in a sealed bag before being thrown into the household trash. The medicine must always be kept out of the reach and sight of children.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

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