Clarithromycin and Alfuzosin: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · Source data updated Aug 8, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Clarithromycin
Alfuzosin
How we grade severity & evidence
Severity levels
- Contraindicated: These should generally not be used together.
- Major: Potentially serious — often needs a change or close monitoring.
- Moderate: Can be significant — usually manageable with monitoring.
- Minor: Usually limited clinical impact.
Evidence grades
- Established: Well documented — supported by controlled studies or strong clinical data.
- Probable: Good supporting evidence, though not definitively proven.
- Suspected: Some evidence suggests this interaction, but it is not well established.
- Possible: Limited or conflicting evidence; the interaction may occur.
- Theoretical: Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
Ratings come from the documented interaction literature and are reviewed by a pharmacist. They describe the documented risk of the combination, not what will necessarily happen to you — your dose, timing, and health picture all matter.
What happens
Increased alfuzosin exposure and an increased risk of QT interval prolongation
Interaction Deep Dive
The concomitant use of alfuzosin (CYP3A substrate) and potent CYP3A inhibitors, such as clarithromycin, is contraindicated, due to increased alfuzosin exposure and risk of QT-interval prolongation1.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Inhibition of CYP3A4-mediated alfuzosin metabolism by clarithromycin; additive QT interval prolongation
Literature reports
1 report — tap to read
a) Clarithromycin has been associated with prolongation of the QT interval and infrequent cases of arrhythmia. Cases of torsades de pointes have been spontaneously reported during postmarketing surveillance in patients receiving clarithromycin. Fatalities have been reported 2.
Common questions
Can I take Clarithromycin and Alfuzosin together?
Increased alfuzosin exposure and an increased risk of QT interval prolongation Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Clarithromycin and Alfuzosin interaction?
It is rated contraindicated. These should generally not be used together.
How quickly could this interaction happen?
The documented onset is "unspecified". The timing of this interaction is not well characterized.
How strong is the evidence for this interaction?
The evidence is graded "theoretical". Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
From our Q&A
Real reader questions about these medications, each personally answered by our pharmacist:
Questions for your pharmacist
- Does my dose of Clarithromycin or Alfuzosin need adjusting while I take them together?
- What symptoms should prompt me to call you or my prescriber right away?
- Does the timing of my doses matter for this combination?
- Is there a safer alternative to one of these medications for me?
References (2)
- Product Information: UROXATRAL(R) oral extended-release tablets, alfuzosin HCl oral extended-release tablets. Concordia Pharmaceuticals Inc (per FDA), Kansas City, MO, 2020. DailyMed
- Product Information: VOQUEZNA(TM) TRIPLE PAK(TM) oral kit, vonoprazan oral tablets, amoxicillin oral capsules, clarithromycin oral tablets kit. Phathom Pharmaceuticals (per FDA), Buffalo Grove, IL, 2023. DailyMed
Keep reading about Clarithromycin
Keep reading about Alfuzosin
These medications also interact with supplements
Prescription drugs aren't the whole picture — herbal and dietary supplements can interact with them too. From the evidence-graded Natural Medicines database:
major · moderate · minor — check everything you take with our drug–supplement interaction checker.
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