Drug interactions
Atracurium + Clindamycin
Severity: Major
Atracurium and Clindamycin: major 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
Clindamycin has neuromuscular blocking properties and can enhance and prolong nondepolarising blockade. This may delay recovery and cause respiratory depression.
What this interaction means in plain words
Atracurium and Clindamycin can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Atracurium belongs to Musculoskeletal; Clindamycin belongs to Anti Bacterial.
Why it happens
Clindamycin produces additive pre- and postsynaptic neuromuscular blockade.
What to do
Monitor neuromuscular function with train-of-four and titrate atracurium accordingly. Have ventilatory support available and confirm full recovery before extubation.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
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Other interactions of Atracurium
Other interactions of Clindamycin
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Atracurium with Clindamycin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Atracurium and Clindamycin can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Clindamycin has neuromuscular blocking properties and can enhance and prolong nondepolarising blockade. This may delay recovery and cause respiratory depression.
How serious is the interaction between Atracurium and Clindamycin?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor neuromuscular function with train-of-four and titrate atracurium accordingly. Have ventilatory support available and confirm full recovery before extubation.
What other medicines interact with Atracurium?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Atracurium with, for example, Amikacin, Bacitracin-neomycin-polymyxin, Benzhydrocodone / acetaminophen. The full list is on the Atracurium page.
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