Drug Interaction Report

Clarithromycin and Lurasidone: Interaction Details

A pharmacist-reviewed analysis of the Clarithromycin and Lurasidone interaction: the documented clinical effects, severity rating, onset, mechanism, and management considerations, with cited references throughout.

AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · Source data updated Aug 8, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature

Clarithromycin

Biaxin
+

Lurasidone

Latuda Latuda®
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Medically reviewed by
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Updated Aug 8, 2026
Editorial policy · Data sources
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Interaction severity
Contraindicated
These should generally not be used together.
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.

Of 197 documented Clarithromycin interactions, 12 are rated contraindicated — including this one.
Worried about symptoms right now? Contact your pharmacist or prescriber, or call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 (US). Call 911 for an emergency.
Onset
unspecified
Evidence
probable
Severity
Contraindicated

What happens

Increased lurasidone exposure

Interaction Deep Dive

Concomitant use of lurasidone with a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor is contraindicated as increased lurasidone exposure may occur1, along with the potential for serious or life-threatening reactions 234. Relative to lurasidone administration alone, coadministration of a single dose of lurasidone 10 mg with ketoconazole 400 mg/day at steady state (for 5 days) resulted in a 6.9 times and 9 times increases in lurasidone Cmax and AUC, respectively 1.

Why it happens (mechanism)

Inhibition of CYP3A4-mediated metabolism of lurasidone

Literature reports

1 report — tap to read

a) Coadministration of a single dose of lurasidone 10 mg with ketoconazole 400 mg/day at steady state (for 5 days) resulted in an increase in lurasidone Cmax and AUC by 6.9 and 9 times the levels relative to lurasidone administration alone, respectively 1.

Common questions

Can I take Clarithromycin and Lurasidone together?

Increased lurasidone exposure Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.

How serious is the Clarithromycin and Lurasidone 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 "probable". Good supporting evidence, though not definitively proven.

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 Lurasidone 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 (4)

  1. Product Information: LATUDA(R) oral tablets, lurasidone HCl oral tablets. Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc (per FDA), Marlborough, MA, 2019. DailyMed
  2. Product Information: NORVIR(R) oral tablets, oral solution, ritonavir oral tablets, oral solution. AbbVie Inc. (per manufacturer), North Chicago, IL, 2016. DailyMed
  3. Product Information: NORVIR(R) oral capsules, ritonavir oral capsules. AbbVie Inc (per manufacturer), North Chicago, IL, 2016. DailyMed
  4. Product Information: KALETRA(R) oral tablets, oral solution, lopinavir ritonavir oral tablets, oral solution. AbbVie Inc (per FDA), North Chicago, IL, 2019. DailyMed
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Clarithromycin

Keep reading about Clarithromycin

All Clarithromycin interactions (197)
Also serious with: Alfuzosin Ivabradine Lovastatin Colchicine
Lurasidone

Keep reading about Lurasidone

All Lurasidone interactions (135) Lurasidone drug information
Also serious with: Apalutamide Metoclopramide Nasal Spray Metoclopramide Injection Atazanavir
Beyond drug–drug

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:

Clarithromycin + Activated Charcoal American Hellebore Arsenic Cesium Ephedra Grapefruit Oleander Sida Cordifolia + 188 more
Lurasidone + Activated Charcoal Grapefruit Indian Snakeroot Rauvolfia Vomitoria St. John's Wort Acacia Rigidula Adrafinil African Wild Potato + 141 more

major · moderate · minor — check everything you take with our drug–supplement interaction checker.

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This information is for education, not a substitute for professional medical advice. Do not start, stop, or change any medication without talking to your pharmacist or prescriber.