Drug interactions
Butabarbital + Erythromycin
Severity: Moderate
Butabarbital and Erythromycin: 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
Butabarbital can induce CYP3A4 and lower erythromycin concentrations, which may reduce antibacterial effectiveness. The effect develops with repeated barbiturate dosing.
What this interaction means in plain words
Butabarbital and Erythromycin 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.
Why it happens
Barbiturate induction of CYP3A4 increasing erythromycin metabolism.
What to do
Monitor clinical response to the antibiotic and consider an alternative antibiotic if treatment fails or the infection is serious.
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 Erythromycin
- Conivaptan + Erythromycin Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine intranasal + Erythromycin Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine + Erythromycin Contraindicated
- Domperidone + Erythromycin Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Erythromycin Contraindicated
- Droperidol + Erythromycin Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Butabarbital with Erythromycin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Butabarbital and Erythromycin 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. Butabarbital can induce CYP3A4 and lower erythromycin concentrations, which may reduce antibacterial effectiveness. The effect develops with repeated barbiturate dosing.
How serious is the interaction between Butabarbital and Erythromycin?
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 clinical response to the antibiotic and consider an alternative antibiotic if treatment fails or the infection is serious.
What other medicines interact with Erythromycin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Erythromycin with, for example, Conivaptan, Dihydroergotamine intranasal, Dihydroergotamine. The full list is on the Erythromycin page.
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