Clarithromycin with Eletriptan Interaction Details
Brand Names Associated with Clarithromycin
- Biaxin® Filmtab®
- Biaxin® Granules
- Biaxin® XL Filmtab
- Biaxin® XL Pac
- Clarithromycin
Brand Names Associated with Eletriptan
- Eletriptan
- Relpax®
Medical Content Editor Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Last updated
Nov 08, 2023
Interaction Effect
Increased eletriptan exposure
Interaction Summary
During drug interaction studies, coadministration of eletriptan and either ketoconazole, erythromycin, verapamil, or fluconazole resulted in an increase in both eletriptan AUC and Cmax. Therefore, use of eletriptan (a CYP3A4 substrate) within at least 72 hours of treatment with potent CYP3A4 inhibitors is contraindicated because of the risk for increased eletriptan exposure and adverse reactions, including serious life-threatening reactions.
Severity
Contraindicated
Onset
Rapid
Evidence
Theoretical
How To Manage Interaction
Use of eletriptan within at least 72 hours of treatment with potent CYP3A4 inhibitors is contraindicated.
Mechanism Of Interaction
Inhibition of CYP3A4-mediated metabolism of eletriptan by strong CYP3A4 inhibitors
Literature Reports
A) During drug interaction studies, coadministration of eletriptan (a CYP3A4 substrate) and ketoconazole resulted in an approximate 6-fold increase in eletriptan AUC and a 3-fold increase in eletriptan Cmax. Similarly, coadministration with erythromycin resulted in a 4-fold and 2-fold increase, coadministration with verapamil yielded a 3-fold and 2-fold increase, and coadministration of fluconazole yielded a 2-fold and 1.4-fold increase .
Clarithromycin Overview
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Clarithromycin is used to treat certain bacterial infections, such as pneumonia (a lung infection), bronchitis (infection of the tubes leading to the lungs), and infections of the ears, sinuses, skin, and throat. It also is used to treat and prevent disseminated Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection [a type of lung infection that often affects people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)]. It is used in combination with other medications to eliminate H. pylori, a bacterium that causes ulcers. Clarithromycin is in a class of medications called macrolide antibiotics. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria.
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Antibiotics such as clarithromycin will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections. Taking antibiotics when they are not needed increases your risk of getting an infection later that resists antibiotic treatment.
Eletriptan Overview
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Eletriptan is used to treat the symptoms of migraine headaches (severe throbbing headaches that sometimes are accompanied by nausea and sensitivity to sound and light). Eletriptan is in a class of medications called selective serotonin receptor agonists. It works by narrowing blood vessels in the brain, stopping pain signals from being sent to the brain, and blocking the release of certain natural substances that cause pain, nausea, and other symptoms of migraine. Eletriptan does not prevent migraine attacks or reduce the number of headaches you have.
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Definitions
Severity Categories
Contraindicated
These drugs, generally, should not be used together simultaneously due to the high risk of severe adverse effects. Combining these medications can lead to dangerous health outcomes and should be strictly avoided unless otherwise instructed by your provider.
Major
This interaction could result in very serious and potentially life-threatening consequences. If you are taking this drug combination, it is very important to be under close medical supervision to minimize severe side effects and ensure your safety. It may be necessary to change a medication or dosage to prevent harm.
Moderate
This interaction has the potential to worsen your medical condition or alter the effectiveness of your treatment. It's important that you are monitored closely and you potentially may need to make adjustments in your treatment plan or drug dosage to maintain optimal health.
Minor
While this interaction is unlikely to cause significant problems, it could intensify side effects or reduce the effectiveness of one or both medications. Monitoring for changes in symptoms and your condition is recommended, and adjustments may be made if needed to manage any increased or more pronounced side effects.
Onset
Rapid: Onset of drug interaction typically occurs within 24 hours of co-administration.
Delayed: Onset of drug interaction typically occurs more than 24 hours after co-administration.
Evidence
Level of documentation of the interaction.
Established: The interaction is documented and substantiated in peer-reviewed medical literature.
Theoretical: This interaction is not fully supported by current medical evidence or well-documented sources, but it is based on known drug mechanisms, drug effects, and other relevant information.
How To Manage The Interaction
Provides a detailed discussion on how patients and clinicians can approach the identified drug interaction as well as offers guidance on what to expect and strategies to potentially mitigate the effects of the interaction. This may include recommendations on adjusting medication dosages, altering the timing of drug administration, or closely monitoring for specific symptoms.
It's important to note that all medical situations are unique, and management approaches should be tailored to individual circumstances. Patients should always consult their healthcare provider for personalized advice and guidance on managing drug interactions effectively.
Mechanism Of Interaction
The theorized or clinically determined reason (i.e., mechanism) why the drug-drug interaction occurs.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding your specific circumstances and medical conditions.
Where Does Our Information Come From?
Information for our drug interactions is compiled from several drug compendia, including:
The prescribing information for each drug, as published on DailyMED, is also used.
Individual drug-drug interaction detail pages contain references specific to that interaction. You can click on the reference number within brackets '[]' to see what reference was utilized.
The information posted is fact-checked by HelloPharmacist clinicians and reviewed quarterly.