Clarithromycin is primarily used to treat a number of bacterial infections including:
pneumonia, Helicobacter pylori and as an alternative to penicillin in strep throat
Other uses include: cat scratch disease and other infections due to bartonella, cryptosporidiosis, as a second line agent in Lyme disease and toxoplasmosis
It may also be used to prevent bacterial endocarditis in those who cannot take penicillin.
It is effective against upper and lower respiratory tract infections, skin and soft tissue infections and helicobacter pylori infections associated with duodenal ulcers.