(1) An antibiotic drug used in the treatment of infections. It belongs to the family of drugs called macrolides.

(2) A semisynthetic 14-membered ring macrolide antibiotic. Clarithromycin binds to the 50S ribosomal subunit and inhibits RNA-dependent protein synthesis in susceptible organisms. Clarithromycin has been shown to eradicate gastric MALT (mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue) lymphomas, presumably due to the eradication of tumorigenic Helicobacter pylori infection. This agent also acts as a biological response modulator, possibly inhibiting angiogenesis and tumor growth through alterations in growth factor expression.

Synonym: Abbott-56268

US brand name: Biaxin

Abbreviation: CLARITH

Chemical structure name: 6-O-Methylerythromycin