Clarithromycin Tablets for Sinusitis

Clarithromycin Tablets for Sinusitis
Prescription Only Medicine (POM)
  • Antibiotic for sinusitis if you’re allergic to penicillin
  • 500mg twice a day for 5 days
  • Free online clinical assessment by a UK prescriber
  • Private prescription included
  • Next-day delivery available*

If you’ve had a sinus infection for 10 days or more, it isn’t getting better and you can’t take penicillin, we may be able to help. You’ll need to complete a simple online consultation so our prescribers can recommend the best option for you.

£39.99
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Product information: Clarithromycin Tablets for Sinusitis

What is clarithromycin?

Clarithromycin is a prescription antibiotic from a group of medicines called macrolides. It is one of the antibiotics recommended in UK guidance for acute bacterial sinusitis in people who are allergic to penicillin. It works by stopping bacteria from making the proteins they need to grow.

Clarithromycin is not suitable for everyone, such as people with certain heart rhythm problems or who take some other medicines. Your prescriber will check your medical history to make sure it is safe for you.

 

Who can get clarithromycin for sinusitis?

Clarithromycin may be suitable if you:

  • Are allergic to penicillin
  • Have had sinusitis symptoms for 10 days or more and they are not getting better
  • Have pain or tenderness around your cheeks, eyes or forehead
  • Have a blocked nose or thick yellow or green mucus
  • Have symptoms that improved and then got worse again

Most sinusitis is caused by a virus and gets better on its own within 2 to 3 weeks. Antibiotics are only recommended when it’s likely to be a bacterial infection. Our prescribers will recommend the most appropriate treatment based on your symptoms.

During your online consultation, we’ll ask you about:

  • Your symptoms and how long you have had them
  • Any severe symptoms, such as swelling around your eyes or changes to your vision
  • Any medical conditions you have
  • Your penicillin allergy and any other allergies
  • Any medication or treatments you’re currently having
  • If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding

This will help your prescriber find a treatment that’s safe and effective for you. Antibiotics are only prescribed when clinically appropriate to reduce unnecessary antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance.

How it works

1

Online consultation

Fill out a simple online form with no GP or pharmacy visits.

2

Clinical review

A UK-registered pharmacist reviews your details to decide the best treatment option for you.

3

Receive your prescription

If prescribed, you can get express delivery in discreet packaging right to your doorstep.

Delivery Information

Royal Mail Tracked 24

1–2 working days
£3.99

Royal Mail Special Delivery

Guaranteed next working day delivery
£8.95

Discreet Packaging

All orders are sent in plain, unmarked packaging with no indication of the contents. Your privacy is our priority.

Side Effects

Like any treatment, clarithromycin can cause some side effects, although not everybody gets them. Most are mild and pass with time, such as:

  • Feeling sick or being sick
  • Diarrhoea or stomach pain
  • A change in your sense of taste
  • Headache
  • Difficulty sleeping

We’ll explain what to look out for and ways to manage any side effects.

Rarely, clarithromycin can cause serious side effects. Stop taking it and get urgent medical advice if you have a fast or irregular heartbeat or fainting, yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes, or severe diarrhoea, especially if it contains blood or mucus.

Please call 999 or go straight to A&E if you have:

  • Difficulty breathing or swallowing
  • Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat
  • A severe skin rash with blistering, peeling or sores

If you notice any changes not listed above or if any side effects become difficult to manage, please speak to your doctor or pharmacist for further guidance. You can also report it through the Yellow Card Scheme to help others take their medication safely.

Frequently asked questions about Clarithromycin Tablets for Sinusitis

You can only buy clarithromycin online for sinusitis if it’s been prescribed to you by a UK-registered prescriber after a clinical assessment.

If you think you have a bacterial sinus infection and are allergic to penicillin, you can complete an online consultation reviewed by one of our experienced UK-registered clinicians. They’ll review your symptoms and medical history to decide the best treatment for you. If prescribed, you can order clarithromycin online through our pharmacy.

We’ll only prescribe clarithromycin when it’s clinically appropriate. If it isn’t the right treatment for you, we can help you find other options instead and you’ll receive a full refund.

Find more treatments for sinusitis.

Yes. Clarithromycin is one of the antibiotics recommended by NICE for acute sinusitis if you’re allergic to penicillin. It works against the bacteria that most commonly cause sinus infections.

Doxycycline is another option for people with a penicillin allergy. Learn more about doxycycline for sinusitis.

Complete our online consultation for a clinical assessment by one of our experienced prescribers to find out whether you’re eligible for a prescription to buy clarithromycin 500mg tablets online.

Klaricid is a brand name for clarithromycin. They contain the same active ingredient and work in the same way.

You cannot buy clarithromycin over the counter at a pharmacy as it is a prescription-only medication. This means you must have a prescription from a licensed prescriber to buy clarithromycin for sinusitis.

If you think you have a bacterial sinus infection and are allergic to penicillin, you can fill out our simple online questionnaire to start your consultation with one of our UK-registered prescribers. Then, if prescribed, you can buy clarithromycin 500mg tablets through our online pharmacy with next day UK delivery.

You can order clarithromycin 500mg tablets through an online pharmacy after a clinical assessment with a registered prescriber. A prescriber will only prescribe clarithromycin if it’s clinically appropriate for you and your situation.

Do not buy antibiotics from pharmacies or websites that do not require a consultation with a medical professional.

At My Chemist Plus, you can have a free consultation with a UK-registered, experienced prescriber for clarithromycin. If prescribed, you can order clarithromycin online with UK-wide next day delivery. Fill out a quick health questionnaire to get started.

Most people with sinusitis do not need antibiotics. It is usually caused by a cold virus and clears up within 2 to 3 weeks. Painkillers, saline nasal rinses and decongestant sprays can help in the meantime.

Antibiotics may be recommended if your symptoms have lasted 10 days or more without improving, or if they got better and then worse again. Our prescribers use these clinical criteria during your consultation.

Always follow your prescriber’s instructions and complete the full course of treatment even if you start feeling better. If you finish your course and still feel unwell, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.

  • Take one tablet twice a day, about 12 hours apart. For instance, one in the morning and one in the evening.
  • Swallow the tablet whole with water. You can take it with or without food.

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it’s nearly time for your next dose. In that case, skip the missed dose. Do not take two tablets at the same time to make up for a forgotten dose.

For adults with sinusitis, the usual dose is 500mg twice a day for 5 days – 10 tablets in total. It’s very important you follow your prescriber’s advice and finish the full course.

Many people start to feel better within a few days of starting treatment. If your symptoms get worse, or do not start to improve after a few days, seek medical advice.

Clarithromycin interacts with a number of medicines, so tell your prescriber about everything you take. In particular, mention:

  • Statins, such as simvastatin or atorvastatin
  • Warfarin or other blood thinners
  • Colchicine, used for gout
  • Digoxin or medicines for an irregular heartbeat
  • Carbamazepine, used for epilepsy
  • Any medicine that can affect your heart rhythm

Your prescriber may ask you to pause some medicines, such as simvastatin, while you take clarithromycin.

Clarithromycin is not usually recommended during pregnancy unless there’s no suitable alternative. If you’re pregnant or could be pregnant, tell your prescriber so they can recommend the safest option for you.

If you’re breastfeeding, small amounts of clarithromycin can pass into breast milk. Let your prescriber know so they can give you the right guidance.

Alcohol does not interact with clarithromycin. But, it’s a good idea to avoid drinking alcohol while you’re unwell, as it can make side effects such as nausea worse.

Clarithromycin should not usually affect your ability to drive. But, some people feel dizzy or confused. If this happens, do not drive or operate machinery until you feel better.

Clarithromycin does not affect the contraceptive pill directly. It also does not affect the emergency contraceptive pill. But, clarithromycin can cause vomiting or diarrhoea in some people.

If you’re vomiting or have diarrhoea for more than 24 hours, this may prevent your contraceptive pill from working. To find out what to do, read the patient information leaflet that comes with your contraceptive medication, speak to your doctor, or visit the NHS website for guidance.

Rest, drink plenty of fluids and take paracetamol or ibuprofen if they’re suitable for you. Salt water nasal rinses, steam inhalation and sleeping with your head raised can also help ease a blocked nose and pressure.

Get urgent medical help from a GP or NHS 111, or go to A&E, if you have:

  • Swelling or redness around your eyes
  • Changes to your vision, such as double vision
  • A severe headache that does not go away, or pain in your forehead with swelling
  • Confusion, drowsiness or a stiff neck
  • A very high temperature or you feel very unwell

These can be signs of a more serious infection that needs prompt assessment rather than waiting for a delivery.

Clinical content reviewed by

Hussain Member

Superintendent Pharmacist GPhC 2221167

References

  1. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Sinusitis (acute): antimicrobial prescribing (NG79). Available from: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng79
  2. NHS. Sinusitis (sinus infection). Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sinusitis-sinus-infection/
  3. NHS. Clarithromycin. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/clarithromycin/
  4. EMC Patient Information Leaflet (Clarithromycin 500mg tablets). Available from: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.7072.pdf