What is the Difference Between Clarithromycin and Erythromycin

The key difference between clarithromycin and erythromycin is that clarithromycin shows slightly greater activity than erythromycin.

Both clarithromycin and erythromycin are important drugs useful in treating bacterial infections. Clarithromycin is an antibiotic medication useful in treating different bacterial infections. Erythromycin is an antibiotic medication useful in treating bacterial infections such as respiratory tract infections, skin infections, chlamydia infections, and pelvic inflammatory diseases.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Clarithromycin
3. What is Erythromycin
4. Clarithromycin vs Erythromycin in Tabular Form
5. Summary – Clarithromycin vs Erythromycin

What is Clarithromycin?

Clarithromycin is an antibiotic medication used to treat different bacterial infections. These infections include strep throat, pneumonia, skin infections, H.pylori infection, and Lyme disease. The routes of administration of this drug include oral administration as a pill or as a liquid. Besides, it can be injected intravenously as well. The trade name of clarithromycin is Biaxin.

There are some common side effects such as nausea, vomiting, headaches, and diarrhea. Although any severe allergic reaction is rare for this drug, there is evidence of liver problems caused by this drug. Moreover, this drug can be harmful to be taken during pregnancy. The mode of action of clarithromycin is the slowing down of bacterial protein synthesis.

The bioavailability of clarithromycin is about 50%. However, its protein binding ability is very low. The metabolism of this drug is hepatic. The elimination half-life of clarithromycin is about 3-4 hours. The chemical formula of this medication is C₃₈H₆₉NO₁₃.

What is Erythromycin?

Erythromycin is an antibiotic medication useful in treating different bacterial infections such as respiratory tract infections, skin infections, chlamydia infections, and pelvic inflammatory diseases. Moreover, this drug can be used during pregnancy to prevent Group B streptococcal infection in the newborn and to delay stomach emptying. The routes of administration of this drug include oral administration and intravenous injection.

The bioavailability of this medication can range from 30-65% depending on the ester type. Its protein binding ability is about 90%. The metabolism of erythromycin occurs in the liver. The elimination half-life is about 1.5 hours and its excretion occurs through bile.

There are some common side effects of this including abdominal cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea. Serious side effects can be liver problems, prolonged QT, and allergy reactions. Generally, this drug is safe for people who are allergic to penicillin.

What is the Difference Between Clarithromycin and Erythromycin?

Both clarithromycin and erythromycin are important medications in treating bacterial infections. The key difference between clarithromycin and erythromycin is that clarithromycin shows slightly greater activity than erythromycin medication. Moreover, clarithromycin is an antibiotic medication useful in treating bacterial infections like strep throat, pneumonia, skin infections, H.pylori infection, and Lyme disease. Erythromycin is an antibiotic medication useful in treating different bacterial infections such as respiratory tract infections, skin infections, chlamydia infections, pelvic inflammatory disease, etc.

The below infographic presents the differences between clarithromycin and erythromycin in tabular form for side by side comparison.

Summary – Clarithromycin vs Erythromycin

Both clarithromycin and erythromycin are important drugs useful in treating bacterial infections. Clarithromycin is an antibiotic medication useful in treating bacterial infections like strep throat, pneumonia, skin infections, H.pylori infection, and Lyme disease. Erythromycin is an antibiotic medication useful in treating different bacterial infections such as respiratory tract infections, skin infections, chlamydia infections, pelvic inflammatory disease, etc. The key difference between clarithromycin and erythromycin is that clarithromycin shows slightly greater activity than erythromycin medication.

Reference:

1. “Clarithromycin Oral: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing.” WebMD.
2. “Erythromycin Uses, Dosage & Side Effects.” Drugs.com.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Clarithromycin structure” By Yikrazuul – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Erythromycin A skeletal” By Ed (Edgar181) – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia