Pseudomembranous colitis following clarithromycin therapy.

  • 1 March 1995
    • journal article
    • case report
    • Vol. 7  (3) , 275-7
Abstract
To describe the association of clarithromycin, used to treat Helicobacter pylori infection and duodenal ulceration, with pseudomembranous colitis in two patients. St Mary's Hospital, London, UK. Two female patients aged 77 and 78 years, admitted with duodenal ulceration and H. pylori infection. Clarithromycin (500 mg three times daily) was administered concurrently with omeprazole (40 mg once daily). After an initial improvement in symptoms both patients experienced persistent Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea. High-dose clarithromycin should be used with caution for the treatment of H. pylori infection associated with gastroduodenal ulceration. The drug may induce antibiotic-associated colitis which can lead to morbidity and mortality, particularly in the elderly.

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