Drug interactions
Cevimeline + Clarithromycin
Severity: Moderate
Cevimeline 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 may increase cevimeline concentrations, which can intensify cholinergic effects such as sweating, nausea, diarrhea and bradycardia. Patients with cardiac disease are of greater concern.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cevimeline 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.
Cevimeline belongs to Miscellaneous; Clarithromycin belongs to Anti Bacterial.
Why it happens
Clarithromycin inhibits CYP3A4, one of the enzymes that metabolizes cevimeline.
What to do
Monitor for cholinergic adverse effects and heart rate. Reduce the cevimeline dose or choose another antibiotic if symptoms occur.
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 Cevimeline
- Amitriptyline + Cevimeline Moderate
- Atenolol-chlorthalidone + Cevimeline Moderate
- Atenolol + Cevimeline Moderate
- Atropine + Cevimeline Moderate
- Betaxolol + Cevimeline Moderate
- Bethanechol + Cevimeline Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Cevimeline with Clarithromycin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Cevimeline 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 may increase cevimeline concentrations, which can intensify cholinergic effects such as sweating, nausea, diarrhea and bradycardia. Patients with cardiac disease are of greater concern.
How serious is the interaction between Cevimeline 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 for cholinergic adverse effects and heart rate. Reduce the cevimeline dose or choose another antibiotic if symptoms occur.
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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