Drug interactions
Clarithromycin + Clorazepate
Severity: Moderate
Clarithromycin and Clorazepate: 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 levels of the active metabolite of clorazepate, nordiazepam, increasing sedation and psychomotor impairment. Respiratory depression is possible, particularly with other CNS depressants.
What this interaction means in plain words
Clarithromycin and Clorazepate 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 belongs to Anti Bacterial; Clorazepate belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Clarithromycin inhibits CYP3A4, which contributes to metabolism of clorazepate's active metabolite.
What to do
Monitor for oversedation and reduce the clorazepate dose if needed. Consider an alternative antibiotic when practical.
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 Clarithromycin and Clorazepate, 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 Clorazepate
- Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates + Clorazepate Contraindicated
- Clorazepate + Sodium oxybate Contraindicated
- Alfentanil + Clorazepate Major
- Alprazolam + Clorazepate Major
- Amobarbital + Clorazepate Major
- Belladonna and opium + Clorazepate Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Clarithromycin with Clorazepate?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Clarithromycin and Clorazepate 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 levels of the active metabolite of clorazepate, nordiazepam, increasing sedation and psychomotor impairment. Respiratory depression is possible, particularly with other CNS depressants.
How serious is the interaction between Clarithromycin and Clorazepate?
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 oversedation and reduce the clorazepate dose if needed. Consider an alternative antibiotic when practical.
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.
