Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 5/26/2007

Question
Hello, I'm taking the antibiotic Clarithromycin (500mg of Biaxin twice a day to be precise)for a sore throat that I've had for a week. I'm concerned because I'm undergoing a two hour oral and maxillofacial surgery under general anesthesia in two days. Can a person have this medication in their system during general anesthesia? Does it have the potential to cause interactions?
Thank you for your time

Answer
It is not contraindicated but you should certainly let your anesthesiologist know that you are on the drug as it can have synergistic effects with some of the drugs we give so we can adjust the dose accordingly.

Ronald Levy, MD
Associate Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston