Drug interactions
Chlorpropamide + Clarithromycin
Severity: Moderate
Chlorpropamide 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 has been associated with hypoglycemia in patients taking sulfonylureas. Prolonged, severe hypoglycemia is a particular concern with long-acting chlorpropamide, especially in older adults and those with renal impairment.
What this interaction means in plain words
Chlorpropamide 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.
Chlorpropamide belongs to Endocrine; Clarithromycin belongs to Anti Bacterial.
Why it happens
The mechanism is not firmly established; reduced sulfonylurea clearance and enhanced insulin secretion have been proposed rather than protein binding displacement.
What to do
Counsel patients on hypoglycemia symptoms and monitor blood glucose closely during and after the antibiotic course. Reduce the sulfonylurea dose if glucose falls, or choose a non-macrolide antibiotic.
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 Chlorpropamide
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Chlorpropamide with Clarithromycin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Chlorpropamide 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 has been associated with hypoglycemia in patients taking sulfonylureas. Prolonged, severe hypoglycemia is a particular concern with long-acting chlorpropamide, especially in older adults and those with renal impairment.
How serious is the interaction between Chlorpropamide 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: Counsel patients on hypoglycemia symptoms and monitor blood glucose closely during and after the antibiotic course. Reduce the sulfonylurea dose if glucose falls, or choose a non-macrolide antibiotic.
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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