What is the difference between clarithromycin and erythromycin

Clarithromycin, however, is more similar to erythromycin in pharmacokinetic measures such as half-life, tissue distribution, and drug interactions. Misunderstandings about differences among the macrolides erythromycin and clarithromycin and the azalide azithromycin in terms of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, spectrum of activity, safety, and cost are common. The uptake and release of these compounds by white blood cells and fibroblasts account for differences in tissue half-life, volume of distribution, intracellular:extracellular ratio, and in vivo potency.

These drugs inhibit protein synthesis in susceptible organisms by binding to the 50S ribosomal subunit. Alteration in this binding site confers simultaneous resistance to all macrolide antibiotics. Clarithromycin is several-fold more active in vitro than erythromycin against gram-positive organisms, while azithromycin is 2- to 4-fold less potent. Azithromycin has excellent in vitro activity against H influenzae MIC90 0.

Clarithromycin, on the other hand, is indicated for moderate and mild infections such as pharyngitis, tonsillitis, community acquired pneumonia, and a lot more. Clarithromycin is said to be better in fighting a wide range of infections than erythromycin because it is superior against gram positive bacterial strains than erythromycin. Clarithromycin is said to be more tolerable than erythromycin.

Clarithromycin has also less gastrointestinal side effects compared to erythromycin. Erythromycin was discovered first than clarithromycin.

Erythromycin is a pure antibiotic derived from a certain microorganism while clarithromycin is a semi-synthetic macrolide antibiotic. Clarithromycin is more superior in fighting illnesses caused by gram-positive bacteria than erythromycin.

Clarithromycin is more tolerable than erythromycin. Clarithromycin has fewer stomach side effects than erythromycin. Difference Between Erythromycin and Clarithromycin. Difference Between Similar Terms and Objects.

MLA 8 J, Joshua. Sensitive To: Ciprofloxacin, erythromycin. Two hundred and eight adult patients were randomized to receive either clarithromycin mg hourly 96 patients or erythromycin stearate mg 6-hourly patients , each for 14 days. One hundred and eight patients were evaluable for efficacy, 64 receiving clarithromycin and 44 erythromycin stearate. An intention-to-treat analysis, including all patients entering the study revealed significant differences in favour of clarithromycin. These results demonstrate that clarithromycin twice daily is at least as effective as four times daily erythromycin stearate for the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia and is better tolerated.

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