Drug interactions
Cilostazol + Erythromycin
Severity: Moderate
Cilostazol 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
Erythromycin raises cilostazol and its active metabolite exposure. This may increase headache, tachycardia, palpitations and diarrhea, and is a concern in patients with cardiovascular disease.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cilostazol 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.
Cilostazol belongs to Cardiovascular; Erythromycin belongs to Anti Bacterial.
Why it happens
Erythromycin inhibits CYP3A4 metabolism of cilostazol.
What to do
Reduce the cilostazol dose to 50 mg twice daily during erythromycin therapy, or choose a different antibiotic. Monitor heart rate and tolerability.
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
Other interactions of Cilostazol
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Cilostazol with Erythromycin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Cilostazol 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. Erythromycin raises cilostazol and its active metabolite exposure. This may increase headache, tachycardia, palpitations and diarrhea, and is a concern in patients with cardiovascular disease.
How serious is the interaction between Cilostazol 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: Reduce the cilostazol dose to 50 mg twice daily during erythromycin therapy, or choose a different antibiotic. Monitor heart rate and tolerability.
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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