Clarithromycin with Erythromycin Interaction Details

Brand Names Associated with Clarithromycin

Brand Names Associated with Erythromycin

Medical Content Editor Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Last updated Nov 08, 2023

Interaction Effect

Increased erythromycin exposure; an increased risk of QT interval prolongation

Interaction Summary

Concomitant use of clarithromycin with drugs that are known to prolong the QT interval and are CYP3A4 substrates, such as erythromycin, should be undertaken with caution due to the possibility of increased erythromycin exposure and risk for QT interval prolongation. Consider dosage adjustments and monitoring of serum concentrations as appropriate.

Severity

Major

Onset

Unspecified

Evidence

Theoretical

How To Manage Interaction

Concomitant use of clarithromycin with drugs that are known to prolong the QT interval and are CYP3A4 substrates, such as erythromycin, should be undertaken with caution due to the possibility of increased erythromycin exposure and risk for QT interval prolongation. Consider dosage adjustments and monitoring of serum concentrations as appropriate.

Mechanism Of Interaction

Inhibition of CYP3A4-mediated erythromycin metabolism by clarithromycin; additive effects on QT prolongation

Literature Reports

A) Erythromycin significantly increased the QTc interval compared with baseline in a retrospective study of 49 patients. The erythromycin dose was 500 mg or 1 g 4 times daily, with a mean of 15 doses received. Patients who received 60 mg/kg/day or more all developed increases in QT interval of 15% or greater. For all patients, the mean QTc interval increased from 432 msec at baseline to 483 msec . In patients with delayed repolarization at baseline, the QTc interval increased from 473 msec to 525 msec (p less than 0.01). In patients with heart disease, all experienced an increase in QTc interval (mean of 15%), compared with an increase of 8% in patients without heart disease. In 5 patients (10%), the QTc interval was severely prolonged. One patient developed torsades de pointes attributed to erythromycin. Of 16 patients receiving cotrimoxazole concomitantly, 8 developed QT prolongation of 15% or greater .

Clarithromycin Overview

• 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.

• 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.

Erythromycin Overview

• Erythromycin is used to treat certain infections caused by bacteria, such as infections of the respiratory tract, including bronchitis, pneumonia, Legionnaires' disease (a type of lung infection), and pertussis (whooping cough; a serious infection that can cause severe coughing); diphtheria (a serious infection in the throat); sexually transmitted diseases (STD), including syphilis; and ear, intestine, gynecological, urinary tract, and skin infections. It also is used to prevent recurrent rheumatic fever. Erythromycin is in a class of medications called macrolide antibiotics. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria.

• Antibiotics such as erythromycin 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.

Return To Our Drug Interaction Homepage

Feedback, Question Or Comment About This Information?

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:

• Gold Standard Drug Database
• Micromedex
• Lexicomp
• DrugBank

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.