Two medicines, side by side
Clarithromycin vs colchicine
Clarithromycin is labeled for bacterial infections and acid reflux and ulcers; colchicine for gout. Their labels share no use, so they are not alternatives to each other. Drugs@FDA records approvals of clarithromycin since 1991 and of colchicine since 2009. Pharmacies paid $0.466 per clarithromycin 500 mg tablet and $0.122 per colchicine 0.6 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, clarithromycin is a macrolide antimicrobial and colchicine an alkaloid.
Check it at the source: the clarithromycin FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 9, 2026); the colchicine FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 22, 2025).
Highlights of the clarithromycin record
Clarithromycin (Biaxin) · label of April 9, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsClarithromycin is a macrolide antimicrobial indicated for mild to moderate infections caused by designated, susceptible bacteria in the following: Acute Bacterial Exacerbation of Chronic Bronchitis in Adults (1.1) Acute Maxillary Sinusitis (1.2) Community-Acquired Pneumonia (1.3) Pharyngitis/Tonsillitis (1.4) Uncomplicated Skin and Skin Structure Infections (1.5) Acute Otitis Media in Pediatric Patients (1.6) […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- October 31, 1991
- Generic labelers
- 26 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.466 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 3
Highlights of the colchicine record
Colchicine (Colcrys) · label of July 22, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsColchicine is an alkaloid indicated for: Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) in adults and children 4 years or older ( 1.2 ). 1.2 Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) Colchicine tablets are indicated in adults and children four years or older for treatment of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF).
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- July 29, 2009
- Generic labelers
- 30 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.122 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 2
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Clarithromycin label of April 9, 2026, Colchicine label of July 22, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do clarithromycin and colchicine differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, clarithromycin is a macrolide antimicrobial and colchicine an alkaloid.
How each works, in its label's words: Clarithromycin, “Clarithromycin is a macrolide antimicrobial drug [see Microbiology (12.4) ].”; Colchicine, “The mechanism by which colchicine exerts its beneficial effect in patients with FMF has not been fully elucidated; however, evidence suggests that colchicine may interfere with the intracellular …”
Generics: clarithromycin since 2004; colchicine since 2016 (Drugs@FDA).
| Clarithromycin | Colchicine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections, Acid reflux and ulcers | Gout |
| Pharmacologic class | Macrolide Antimicrobial | Alkaloid |
| How it works (label) | Clarithromycin is a macrolide antimicrobial drug [see Microbiology (12.4) ]. | The mechanism by which colchicine exerts its beneficial effect in patients with FMF has not been fully elucidated; however, evidence suggests that colchicine may interfere with the intracellular assembly of the inflammasome complex present … |
| Half-life (label) | The elimination half-life of clarithromycin was about 3 hours to 4 hours with 250 mg administered every 12 hours but increased to 5 hours to 7 hours with 500 mg administered every 8 hours to 12 hours. | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | October 31, 1991 | July 29, 2009 |
| First generic approved | May 25, 2004 | September 28, 2016 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 26 labelers | 30 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.466 per tablet (Clarithromycin 500 mg tablet) | $0.122 per tablet (Colchicine 0.6 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | +6% | -27% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 3 | 2 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 34,134 | 26,198 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
Do their labels mention each other?
Clarithromycin label, contraindicationsCONTRAINDICATIONS Hypersensitivity to clarithromycin or any macrolide drug (4.1) Cisapride and pimozide (4.2) History of cholestatic jaundice/hepatic dysfunction with use of clarithromycin (4.3) Colchicine in renal or hepatic impairment (4.4) Lomitapide, lovastatin, and simvastatin (4.5) Ergot alkaloids (ergotamine or dihydroergotamine) (4.6) Lurasidone
Clarithromycin label, drug interactionsColchicine (in patients with renal or hepatic impairment) Contraindicated Colchicine: Colchicine is a substrate for both CYP3A and the efflux transporter, P-glycoprotein (Pgp).
Colchicine label, drug interactionsDrug class: Strong CYP3A4 Inhibitors † atazanavir clarithromycin darunavir/ritonavir indinavir itraconazole ketoconazole lopinavir/ritonavir nefazodone nelfinavir ritonavir saquinavir telithromycin tipranavir/ritonavir; Outcome/effect: Significant increases in colchicine plasma levels [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].; …
Colchicine label, drug interactionsFatal drug interactions have been reported when colchicine is administered with clarithromycin, a dual inhibitor of CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to clarithromycin
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions