Methylprednisolone with Erythromycin Interaction Details
Brand Names Associated with Methylprednisolone
- Medrol®
- Methylprednisolone
Brand Names Associated with Erythromycin
- EES®
- ERY-C®
- Ery-Tab®
- Erythrocin®
- Erythromycin
- PCE®
- Pediamycin®
Medical Content Editor Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Last updated
Dec 03, 2023
Interaction Effect
An increased risk of steroid-induced adverse effects
Interaction Summary
Coadministration of erythromycin and methylPREDNISolone has resulted in decreased clearance of methylPREDNISolone. If these agents are coadministered, consider a dosage reduction of methylPREDNISolone. Also, monitor patients for increased methylPREDNISolone adverse events.
Severity
Moderate
Onset
Delayed
Evidence
Probable
How To Manage Interaction
Concurrent administration of erythromycin and methylPREDNISolone has resulted in significantly decreased clearance of methylPREDNISolone. Consider a dosage reduction of methylPREDNISolone when this combination is used. Also, monitor patients for increased methylPREDNISolone adverse events.
Mechanism Of Interaction
Delayed methylPREDNISolone clearance
Literature Reports
A) In a study of 9 asthmatic patients, concurrent administration of erythromycin and methylPREDNISolone resulted in a significant decrease in methylPREDNISolone clearance and an increase in methylPREDNISolone half-life. Patients, aged 9 to 18 years, were administered an intravenous (IV) bolus infusion of methylPREDNISolone sodium succinate 40 mg/1.73m(2) (maximum dose 40 mg) over 2 minutes to obtain baseline methylPREDNISolone pharmacokinetic parameters. After 24 hours, patients were administered erythromycin base 250 mg orally four times a day for 1 week, followed by a second administration of IV methylPREDNISolone sodium succinate, at the same dose as the baseline dose. Compared to baseline, significant decreases were seen in the mean clearance (46% change, p less than 0.0001) and apparent steady-state Vd (18% change, p less than 0.005) of methylPREDNISolone. The mean half-life of methylPREDNISolone increased from 2.34 hours to 3.45 hours (51% change, p less than 0.001) and the mean residence time increased significantly from 3.69 hours to 5.64 hours (54% change, p less than 0.001) .
Methylprednisolone Overview
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Methylprednisolone, a corticosteroid, is similar to a natural hormone produced by your adrenal glands. It is often used to replace this chemical when your body does not make enough of it. It relieves inflammation (swelling, heat, redness, and pain) and is used to treat certain forms of arthritis; skin, blood, kidney, eye, thyroid, and intestinal disorders (e.g., colitis); severe allergies; and asthma. Methylprednisolone is also used to treat certain types of cancer.
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This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Erythromycin Overview
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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.
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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.
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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.