clarithromycin vs rabeprazole
Side-by-side comparison of clarithromycin and rabeprazole. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
major Known Drug Interaction
Combination Therapy with Clarithromycin and Amoxicillin Clinical Impact: Concomitant administration of clarithromycin with other drugs can lead to serious adverse reactions, including potentially fatal arrhythmias, and are contraindicated. Intervention: See Contraindications and Warnings and Precautions in prescribing information for clarithromycin.
Recommendation: Talk to your doctor about safer alternatives or close monitoring, as this combination can be very dangerous.
Biaxin
Aciphex
Clarithromycin is an antibiotic that fights bacterial infections. It belongs to a class of drugs called macrolides.
Rabeprazole (Aciphex) is a medicine that reduces the amount of acid your stomach makes. 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 can treat several conditions caused by too much stomach acid. It can heal damage to your esophagus from acid reflux (GERD). It also treats heartburn, stomach ulcers, and conditions like Zollinger-Ellison syndrome where the body makes too much acid. Rabeprazole can also be used with antibiotics to get rid of a bacteria called H. pylori that can cause ulcers.
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.
Rabeprazole works by blocking the enzyme in your stomach that produces acid. This helps to lower the amount of acid in your stomach. Lowering stomach acid helps to heal damage and relieve symptoms.
- • Abdominal pain
- • Diarrhea
- • Nausea
- • Vomiting
- • Taste changes
- • Pain
- • Sore throat
- • Gas
- • Infection
- • Constipation
- Drug Interaction 2,906
- Nausea 2,214
- Dyspnoea 1,959
- Diarrhoea 1,937
- Malaise 1,650
- Feeling sick to your stomach 1,543
- Loose, watery stools 1,318
- Aches or soreness 1,314
- Pain in your head 1,284
- Difficulty breathing 1,276
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.
Taking PPIs like rabeprazole may hide signs of stomach cancer, so tell your doctor if your symptoms don't improve. This medicine may also increase your risk of bone fractures, especially if you take it for a long time or at high doses. Long-term use may also cause low vitamin B12 or magnesium levels. Contact your doctor right away if you experience signs of hypersensitivity.
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.
It is not known if rabeprazole is safe to use during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
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How to Read This clarithromycin vs rabeprazole Comparison
clarithromycin is classified in the Macrolide Antibiotic drug class, while rabeprazole 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 prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.
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 rabeprazole has 6,735. 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 major interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to taking these drugs together can change how they are processed, potentially leading to serious and life-threatening heart rhythm issues.. 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 rabeprazole - 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.