clarithromycin vs omeprazole
Side-by-side comparison of clarithromycin and omeprazole. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
moderate Known Drug Interaction
Proton Pump Inhibitors: Omeprazole No Dose Adjustment Omeprazole: The mean 24-hour gastric pH value was 5.2 when omeprazole was administered alone and 5.7 when coadministered with clarithromycin as a result of increased omeprazole exposures [see Pharmacokinetics ( 12.3 )] (see also Omeprazole under “Drugs That Affect Clarithromycin Tablets” in the table below). Saquinavir (in patients with normal renal function) Ritonavir (in patients with normal renal function) No Dose Adjustment Proton Pump Inhibitors: Omeprazole Use With Caution Omeprazole: Clarithromycin concentrations in the gastric...
Recommendation: Use this combination with caution and follow your doctor's instructions for monitoring your symptoms.
Biaxin
Prilosec
Clarithromycin is an antibiotic that fights bacterial infections. It belongs to a class of drugs called macrolides.
Omeprazole (Prilosec) is a medicine that reduces the amount of acid in your stomach. It belongs to a class of drugs called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).
Clarithromycin treats mild to moderate infections caused by certain bacteria. It can treat bronchitis, sinus infections, pneumonia, and throat/tonsil infections. It also treats skin infections, ear infections in children, certain mycobacterial infections, and H. pylori infections that cause ulcers.
This medicine treats frequent heartburn, which is heartburn that occurs 2 or more days a week. It is not meant to give you immediate relief from heartburn. It may take 1 to 4 days for the medicine to fully work.
Clarithromycin works by stopping the growth of bacteria. It prevents bacteria from making proteins they need to survive. This helps your body fight off the infection.
Omeprazole works by blocking the production of acid in your stomach. It does this by targeting the cells that make stomach acid. This helps to reduce heartburn symptoms.
- • Abdominal pain
- • Diarrhea
- • Nausea
- • Vomiting
- • Taste changes
- • Headache
- Drug Interaction 2,906
- Nausea 2,214
- Dyspnoea 1,959
- Diarrhoea 1,937
- Malaise 1,650
- Tiredness 19,903
- Feeling sick to your stomach 19,841
- Loose stools 19,625
- Difficulty breathing 16,336
- Headache 14,629
Clarithromycin can cause severe allergic reactions. Stop taking it and get medical help right away if you have signs of a reaction. This medicine can also cause heart rhythm problems (QT prolongation) and liver problems. Tell your doctor if you have heart or liver issues. Clarithromycin may increase the risk of death in patients with coronary artery disease.
Children under 18 should ask a doctor before use. Heartburn in children may be a sign of a serious condition.
Clarithromycin is not recommended during pregnancy unless there are no other options. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if clarithromycin passes into breast milk, so talk to your doctor before breastfeeding.
Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before taking this medicine. It is important to weigh the benefits and risks with your doctor.
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How to Read This clarithromycin vs omeprazole Comparison
clarithromycin is classified in the Macrolide Antibiotic drug class, while omeprazole sits within the Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are split between OTC and prescription status, which affects access and supervision.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, clarithromycin has 10,666 submissions while omeprazole has 90,334. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known moderate interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to clarithromycin slows down how your body processes omeprazole, which leads to higher levels of the stomach medicine in your system.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between clarithromycin and omeprazole - always consult your physician or pharmacist first.
Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.