Biaxin has been linked to two forms of hepatotoxicity

Hepatotoxicity

 

 

Clarithromycin, like other macrolide antibiotics, has been linked to two forms of hepatotoxicity.  The first is an acute, transient and asymptomatic elevation in serum aminotransferases which occurs in 1-2% of patients treated for short periods and a somewhat higher proportion of patients given clarithromycin long-term. Asymptomatic elevations in serum enzymes are particularly common among elderly patients given higher doses of clarithromycin. Clarithromycin can also cause acute, clinically apparent liver injury with jaundice.  The liver injury usually appears within the first 1 to 3 weeks after initiation of treatment and can arise after clarithromycin is stopped. The pattern of liver enzyme elevations varies but the resulting hepatitis is often cholestatic and can be prolonged. Allergic signs and symptoms have not been consistently reported. Recovery occurs with withdrawal of the medication over 4 to 8 weeks in most cases. The typical latency, clinical pattern and course of the cholestatic hepatitis due to clarithromycin resembles that of the other macrolide antibiotics.