Clarithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic used for the treatment of a wide variety of bacterial infections such as acute otitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, respiratory tract infections, uncomplicated skin infections, and helicobacter pylori infection. Clarithromycin, a semisynthetic macrolide antibiotic derived from erythromycin, inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by binding to the bacterial 50S ribosomal subunit.
- Mechanism
- Curator reviewed
Clarithromycin is first metabolized to 14-OH clarithromycin, which is active and works synergistically with its parent compound. Like other macrolides, it then penetrates bacteria cell wall and reversibly binds to domain V of the 23S ribosomal RNA of the 50S subunit of the bacterial ribosome, blocking translocation of aminoacyl transfer-RNA and polypeptide synthesis. Clarithromycin also inhibits the hepatic microsomal CYP3A4 isoenzyme and P-glycoprotein, an energy-dependent drug efflux pump.
- Primary indication
- An alternative medication for the treatment of acute otitis media caused by H. influenzae, M. catarrhalis, or S. pneumoniae in patients with a history of type I penicillin hypersensitivity.Curator reviewed · 16 structured indications
- Formula / weight
- C38H69NO13 · 747.9534 g/mol (avg)
- First approval
- Canada, 2007 · United States, 1991
- Also known as
- 6-O-methyl erythromycin · 6-O-methylerythromycin · 6-O-methylerythromycin A
- Code names
- A-56268 · ABBOTT-56268 · TE-031
- Brand names
Resolves to
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Which drugs share a target with Clarithromycin, and which of those have an active Phase 3 trial?
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