A combination of antibiotics including rifabutin, clarithromycin and clofazimine for the treatment of an autoimmune disease such as multiple sclerosis and related diseases. In a further aspect, there is provided a composition comprising a combination of two or more antibiotic agents for the treatment of an autoimmune disease, said two or more antibiotic agents selected from rifabutin, clofazimine, and at least one macrolide.

For the purpose of treatment and/or prevention of pulmonary disorders caused by the destruction of pulmonary alveoli resulting from smoking air pollution noxious gas etc. there are provided among others a method of administering clarithromycin or a salt thereof to a mammal and a pharmaceutical composition comprising clarithromycin or a salt thereof.

This invention relates to a controlled-release formulation, composed of a core and a coating layer, and comprising clarithromycin or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, or polymorph of clarithromycin.