Last reviewed 2026-05-31 · How we verify

Intravenous Clarithromycin

Intravenous Clarithromycin is a Macrolide antibiotic Small molecule drug developed by University of Athens. It is currently FDA-approved for Serious respiratory tract infections (pneumonia, bronchitis), Mycobacterial infections (MAC prophylaxis/treatment), Other serious bacterial infections requiring intravenous therapy.

Clarithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic that inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by binding to the 50S ribosomal subunit.

Clarithromycin is an intravenous antibiotic used to treat conditions such as pneumonia, sepsis, and infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria. It is also being studied in clinical trials for its potential to modulate microbiota metabolism in cardiac surgery patients at high risk of postoperative multiple organ dysfunctions.

At a glance

Mechanism of action

Clarithromycin binds irreversibly to the bacterial 50S ribosomal subunit, blocking peptide translocation and inhibiting protein synthesis. This bacteriostatic action prevents bacterial growth and replication. The intravenous formulation allows systemic delivery for serious infections where oral administration is not feasible.

Approved indications

• Serious respiratory tract infections (pneumonia, bronchitis)
• Mycobacterial infections (MAC prophylaxis/treatment)
• Other serious bacterial infections requiring intravenous therapy

Common side effects

• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Phlebitis at injection site
• Headache
• QT prolongation
• Hepatotoxicity

Key clinical trials

• Testing a Novel Combination Treatment (Arm D) Versus Standard of Care for Intensive Phase Treatment for Mycobacterium Abscessus Pulmonary Disease in People With or Without Cystic Fibrosis in the Finding the Optimal Regimen for Mycobacterium Abscessus Treatment (FORMaT) Adaptive Platform Trial (PHASE2)
• Study to Evaluate the Preliminary Efficacy of SKB264 and the Effect of Clarithromycin on the PK of SKB264 in OC (PHASE2)
• Selinexor and Backbone Treatments of Multiple Myeloma Patients (PHASE1, PHASE2)
• Finding the Optimal Regimen for Mycobacterium Abscessus Treatment (PHASE2, PHASE3)
• TAILORED Therapeutic Regime in Patients With Preterm Premature Rupture Of Membranes to Prolong Pregnancy, Improve Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes, and Reduce Antibiotic Burden (PHASE3)
• Effect of Topical Sinonasal Antibiotics (PHASE2)
• Modulation of Microbiota Metabolism in Cardiac Surgery Patients (NA)
• Randomized, Embedded, Multifactorial Adaptive Platform Trial for Community- Acquired Pneumonia (PHASE3)

Primary sources

Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.

Competitive intelligence

For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:

• Intravenous Clarithromycin CI brief — competitive landscape report
• Intravenous Clarithromycin updates RSS · CI watch RSS
• University of Athens portfolio CI

Frequently asked questions about Intravenous Clarithromycin

Related

• Drug class: All Macrolide antibiotic drugs
• Target: All drugs targeting Bacterial 50S ribosomal subunit
• Manufacturer: University of Athens — full pipeline
• Therapeutic area: All drugs in Infectious Disease
• Indication: Drugs for Serious respiratory tract infections (pneumonia, bronchitis)
• Indication: Drugs for Mycobacterial infections (MAC prophylaxis/treatment)
• Indication: Drugs for Other serious bacterial infections requiring intravenous therapy

Primary sources · FDA · ClinicalTrials.gov · EMA · SEC EDGAR · ChEMBL · Wikidata · full sourcing