Can Clarithromycin Be Taken When Allergic To Sulfas, Levofloxacin, Penicillin And Cephalosporin?

Posted on Wed, 10 Dec 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 10 Dec 2014 Answered on

Mon, 5 Jan 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I am allergic to sulfas, levoflaxin, pennecillan, and cephlasporin. Can I take Clarithromycin?

Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (40 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Belongs to a different group of antibiotic and is good for sinusitis

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Welcome to HCM

Clarithromycin belongs to a different group of antibiotics called Macrolides and not of groups that you are known to be allergic to. It is effective in sinusitis and other upper respiratory tract infections. Therefore it would be a good choice for you if you are not allergic to the same. The other popular antibiotic that belongs to the macrolide group are Erythromycin and Azithromycin. If you have used any of these before, you are not likely to be allergic to Clarithromycin.
However be cautious as one cannot predict an allergy in a new medicine before hand. Even if it occurs, it is unlikely to be a life threatening one.
Wish you quick recovery
Dr Noble Zachariah

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar