Drug interactions
Cinacalcet + Clarithromycin
Severity: Moderate
Cinacalcet 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 raise cinacalcet levels and enhance its calcium-lowering effect. This can lead to hypocalcemia, with symptoms such as paresthesia, cramps and QT prolongation.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cinacalcet 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.
Cinacalcet belongs to Miscellaneous; Clarithromycin belongs to Anti Bacterial.
Why it happens
Inhibition of CYP3A4, a main metabolic pathway of cinacalcet.
What to do
Monitor serum calcium and PTH during and after the course of clarithromycin. Adjust the cinacalcet dose if hypocalcemia develops.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Cinacalcet and Clarithromycin, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.
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 Cinacalcet
- Cinacalcet + Etelcalcetide Contraindicated
- Cinacalcet + Eliglustat Major
- Cinacalcet + Metoclopramide Major
- Cinacalcet + Metoclopramide intranasal Major
- Cinacalcet + Tamoxifen Major
- Abiraterone + Cinacalcet Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Cinacalcet with Clarithromycin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Cinacalcet 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 raise cinacalcet levels and enhance its calcium-lowering effect. This can lead to hypocalcemia, with symptoms such as paresthesia, cramps and QT prolongation.
How serious is the interaction between Cinacalcet 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 serum calcium and PTH during and after the course of clarithromycin. Adjust the cinacalcet dose if hypocalcemia develops.
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.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
