Drug interactions
Amlodipine + Clarithromycin
Severity: Moderate
Amlodipine and Clarithromycin: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Clarithromycin increases amlodipine exposure, which can cause excessive hypotension, edema and reflex or bradycardic effects. Cases of hypotension and acute kidney injury have been reported with calcium channel blockers and clarithromycin, particularly in older patients.
What this interaction means in plain words
Amlodipine and Clarithromycin can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Amlodipine belongs to Cardiovascular; Clarithromycin belongs to Anti Bacterial.
Why it happens
CYP3A4 inhibition by clarithromycin reduces amlodipine metabolism.
What to do
Monitor blood pressure and heart rate and consider reducing the amlodipine dose during the course. Use azithromycin as an alternative if appropriate, especially in older adults.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Clarithromycin
- Astemizole + Clarithromycin Contraindicated
- Avanafil + Clarithromycin Contraindicated
- Cisapride + Clarithromycin Contraindicated
- Clarithromycin + Colchicine Contraindicated
- Clarithromycin + Conivaptan Contraindicated
- Clarithromycin + Dihydroergotamine Contraindicated
Other interactions of Amlodipine
- Amifostine + Amlodipine Major
- Amlodipine + Ombitasvir / paritaprevir / ritonavir and dasabuvir Major
- Activated Charcoal + Amlodipine Moderate
- Aldesleukin + Amlodipine Moderate
- Alfuzosin + Amlodipine Moderate
- Amlodipine + Apalutamide Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Amlodipine with Clarithromycin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Amlodipine and Clarithromycin can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Clarithromycin increases amlodipine exposure, which can cause excessive hypotension, edema and reflex or bradycardic effects. Cases of hypotension and acute kidney injury have been reported with calcium channel blockers and clarithromycin, particularly in older patients.
How serious is the interaction between Amlodipine and Clarithromycin?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor blood pressure and heart rate and consider reducing the amlodipine dose during the course. Use azithromycin as an alternative if appropriate, especially in older adults.
What other medicines interact with Clarithromycin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Clarithromycin with, for example, Astemizole, Avanafil, Cisapride. The full list is on the Clarithromycin page.
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