Drug interactions
Buspirone + Clarithromycin
Severity: Moderate
Buspirone 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 can substantially raise buspirone concentrations. This may cause dizziness, drowsiness, nausea and other excessive serotonergic effects.
What this interaction means in plain words
Buspirone 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.
Buspirone belongs to Central Nervous System; Clarithromycin belongs to Anti Bacterial.
Why it happens
Clarithromycin inhibits CYP3A4, the principal enzyme metabolizing buspirone.
What to do
Start with a low buspirone dose and titrate by response, or reduce the dose during clarithromycin therapy. Monitor for sedation and dizziness.
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 Buspirone
- Buspirone + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Buspirone + Linezolid Contraindicated
- Buspirone + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Buspirone + Procarbazine Contraindicated
- Buspirone + Selegiline Contraindicated
- Buspirone + Selegiline transdermal Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Buspirone with Clarithromycin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Buspirone 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 can substantially raise buspirone concentrations. This may cause dizziness, drowsiness, nausea and other excessive serotonergic effects.
How serious is the interaction between Buspirone 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: Start with a low buspirone dose and titrate by response, or reduce the dose during clarithromycin therapy. Monitor for sedation and dizziness.
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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