Pseudomembranous colitis following clarithromycin therapy.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the association of clarithromycin, used to treat Helicobacter pylori infection and duodenal ulceration, with pseudomembranous colitis in two patients.


METHODS
St Mary's Hospital, London, UK.


METHODS
Two female patients aged 77 and 78 years, admitted with duodenal ulceration and H. pylori infection.


METHODS
Clarithromycin (500 mg three times daily) was administered concurrently with omeprazole (40 mg once daily).


METHODS
After an initial improvement in symptoms both patients experienced persistent Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Teare
J P
JP
Department of Medicine, St Mary's Hospital Medical School, Imperial College of Science Technology and Medicine, London, UK.
Booth
J C
JC
Brown
J L
JL
Martin
J
J
Thomas
H C
HC
D000368:Aged; D017291:Clarithromycin / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004381:Duodenal Ulcer / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology; D004761:Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans
D017291:Clarithromycin