Pregnancy, breastfeeding and fertility while taking clarithromycin

Clarithromycin and pregnancy

Clarithromycin can be taken in pregnancy or while breastfeeding, however other antibiotics may be more suitable. Discuss this with your doctor.

Clarithromycin and breastfeeding

If your doctor or health visitor says your baby is healthy, you can take clarithromycin while breastfeeding.

Clarithromycin passes into breast milk in very small amounts, and is unlikely to cause side effects in your baby. However, some babies have had mild upset stomach and drowsiness.

If your baby is not feeding as well as usual, has a rash, is unusually sleepy, has an upset stomach or oral thrush (a fungal infection in their mouth), or if you have any other concerns about your baby, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, health visitor or midwife.

Clarithromycin and fertility

There's no evidence to suggest that taking clarithromycin reduces fertility in either men or women.

Find out more about how clarithromycin can affect you and your baby during pregnancy, on the Best Use of Medicines in Pregnancy (BUMPS) website.