Zoclar (Clarithromycin 250mg) Tablets

Zoclar general information

What is Zoclar used for?

Many common infections are caused by a handful of bacteria.  If any of these pathogenic bacteria get the chance to become overgrown in various parts of our body, they can be harmful, and depending on where the infection takes hold, it can make you severely unwell.  Zoclar tablets 250mg are a broad-spectrum antibiotic that is used to treat a range of common bacterial infections and other serious infections.  They are suitable for adults and children over 12 years. 

Bacteria can invade many parts of the body resulting in superficial skin infections or an internal infection of the lungs and respiratory tract, the organs, blood.  Zoclar tablets 250mg are used to treat infections caused by bacteria that enter the body through inhalation, through cuts on the skin, or surgery, also opportunistic infections due to HIV infection.  They are also used to treat peptic ulcers caused by Helicobacter pylori. 

Many symptoms of a bacterial infection are caused by the immune system attacking the invading pathogen.  These include fever, feeling unwell and tired, headache, nausea, inflammation (redness, swelling, and pain).  Swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, and groin are further signs that the immune system is actively fighting the infection. 

Respiratory infections

Respiratory infections include the chest, throat, ear, and sinuses.  Bacterial infections of the upper respiratory tract include pharyngitis (inflammation of the pharynx at the back of the throat), tonsillitis (infection of the tonsils, which are patches of lymph node tissue at the back of the throat), and sinusitis (infection of the sinuses or nasal passages).  Lower respiratory tract infections include bronchitis (infection of the bronchioles or airways), and pneumonia and emphysema (infections of the lungs).  Otitis media is an infection of the middle ear. 

Skin and soft tissue infections

Cellulitis is an infection that begins when the skin is broken, allowing the bacteria to invade the deeper layers of the skin and underlying soft tissue.  Erysipelas is a form of cellulitis that affects the upper layers of the skin, causing a rash.  If the bacteria get into the skin's deeper layers and its underlying tissues, they cause inflammation and swelling.  However, cellulitis can spread rapidly, causing sepsis (blood poisoning) and organ failure, becoming life-threatening if not treated.  Impetigo is a superficial skin infection causing sores that usually begin with small blisters that break and weep.  They are very contagious, so that the infection is easily spread.  Folliculitis is inflammation of a hair follicle caused by a bacterial infection.  The infection can be superficial, causing a spot on the skin's surface, or it can be deep in the hair follicle resulting in a boil (furunculus).  This causes a pus-filled swelling, which is known as an abscess if it becomes a large boil.

Peptic ulcers

A peptic ulcer is a small hole in the lining of either the stomach (gastric ulcer) or upper part of the small intestines that leads out of the stomach (duodenal ulcer).  The most common cause for peptic ulcers is infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria.  H. pylori is usually picked up in childhood.  It can live in the digestive system without causing any problems for many years.  However, the bacteria produce chemicals that can irritate and damage some people's gut lining.  This causes inflammation, and small holes appear.  The stomach responds by producing more stomach acid that causes further damage, resulting in peptic ulcers.  Zoclar tablets 250mg are used to treat duodenal ulcers in combination with a proton pump inhibitor that reduces stomach acid production.  This treatment eradicates H. pylori and allows the ulcers to heal.

Mycobacterium avium complex infection

Mycobacterium tuberculosis causes the lung infection tuberculosis.  Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) consists of a group of bacteria (Mycobacterium avium and Mycobacterium intracellulare) that are not related to Mycobacterium tuberculosis.  MAC causes a serious infection of the lungs and other organs known as disseminated MAC infection.  This condition is usually associated with AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) caused by HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) infection, and is known as an opportunistic infection.  MAC exists in the soil and water and can live in the body if inhaled or ingested without causing harm.  MAC only results in an infection due to the low number of CD4 lymphocytes, which are specific immune cells damaged by HIV.  Zoclar tablets 250mg are used to prevent disseminated MAC in severely immunocompromised HIV-infected patients with AIDS.

How does Zoclar work?

Zoclar tablets 250mg contain clarithromycin, which is an antibiotic belonging to the macrolides group of antibiotics, and is used to treat a range of common bacterial infections and other more serious infections. 

Clarithromycin in Zoclar tablets 250mg prevents the spread of bacterial infection by blocking bacterial protein synthesis so that the bacteria cannot produce proteins they need for survival.  This action prevents the bacteria from replicating but does not kill them. However, it does stop the growth and spread of the bacteria.  This relieves symptoms of the bacterial infection, which include inflammation and pain. 

Clarithromycin in Zoclar tablets 250mg is effective against most common bacterial infections caused by streptococci, staphylococci, pneumococci, and haemophilus.  It is also effective against other bacteria for certain infections such as Helicobacter pylori that causes peptic ulcers and infection with Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC)

Zoclar tablets 250mg do not work against viruses which use a different mechanism to grow and replicate.

What does Zoclar contain?

Zoclar tablets 250mg contain the active ingredient clarithromycin, an antibiotic belonging to the macrolides group of antibiotics that is used to treat a range of susceptible bacterial infections. 

What are the side effects of Zoclar?

Most medications have some side effects, but they are not experienced by everyone.  Some side effects are commonly experienced when taking Zoclar tablets 250mg, but others are not so common, and you should discuss any problems or concerns with your primary care physician. 

Common side effects when taking Zoclar include diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, altered sense of taste, headache, insomnia, rash, hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating).

When should Zoclar not be used?

Have a talk with your primary healthcare physician before taking Zoclar tablets 250mg so that you have a full understanding of what this medicine is for and how to use it.  There are some reasons for not taking a medication; these are called contraindications, and for Zoclar you should consider the following before taking Zoclar:

• Have you ever had an unusual reaction or an allergy when taking Zoclar?
• Are you pregnant or breastfeeding?
• Do you have any problems with your kidneys or your liver?
• Do you have a heart problem, including coronary artery disease, severe cardiac insufficiency, conduction disturbances, or clinically relevant bradycardia?
• Do you have low blood levels of magnesium or potassium?

What medications interact with Zoclar?

Some medicines interact with Zoclar tablets 250mg and may affect the way it works, or are affected by Zoclar or increase side effects; you should discuss possible interactions with your primary care physician.  These may include the antiarrhythmics quinidine and disopyramide, the immunosuppressant cyclosporin, digoxin for heart failure, antacids like omeprazole for indigestion, simvastatin for high cholesterol, the anticoagulant warfarin, sildenafil for erectile dysfunction, anticonvulsants carbamazepine and phenytoin, theophylline for asthma, tolterodine for urinary problems, antianxiety medication like alprazolam, colchicine for gout, the antifungal itraconazole, vinblastine for cancer treatment, the corticosteroid methylprednisolone, triazolam for insomnia, cilostazol for poor circulation, ritonavir, zidovudine, nevirapine, efavirenz or atazanavir for HIV, the antiinfective rifampicin, ergotamine for migraine, cisapride for heartburn.. 

If other medications may interact with Zoclar, your doctor will discuss these with you. 

How should Zoclar be taken and for how long?

You should take your Zoclar tablets 250mg swallowed whole with a glass of water with or without food twice a day at the same time each day.  You should continue to take your Zoclar tablets 250mg for as long as recommended by your doctor, usually five to 14 days, depending on what you are being treated for.  Always finish your course of tablets even if you feel better; if not, the infection may not clear up completely.

Missed dose of Zoclar

If you miss a dose of Zoclar tablets 250mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Zoclar be stored?

You should store your Zoclar tablets 250mg below 25°C in a cool dry place.