Drug interactions
Butalbital + Erythromycin
Severity: Moderate
Butalbital 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
Butalbital, a barbiturate, can induce CYP3A4 and lower erythromycin concentrations, potentially reducing antibacterial effect. Intermittent use is likely to have less impact than regular use.
What this interaction means in plain words
Butalbital 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 erythromycin and consider an alternative antibiotic if the response is inadequate.
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 Butalbital with Erythromycin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Butalbital 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. Butalbital, a barbiturate, can induce CYP3A4 and lower erythromycin concentrations, potentially reducing antibacterial effect. Intermittent use is likely to have less impact than regular use.
How serious is the interaction between Butalbital 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 erythromycin and consider an alternative antibiotic if the response is inadequate.
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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