Drug interactions
Clarithromycin + Dexamethasone
Severity: Moderate
Clarithromycin and Dexamethasone: 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 can increase systemic dexamethasone exposure, which may heighten corticosteroid effects such as hyperglycemia, fluid retention and adrenal suppression. This is mostly relevant with prolonged or high-dose steroid therapy.
What this interaction means in plain words
Clarithromycin and Dexamethasone 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; Dexamethasone belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
CYP3A4 inhibition reduces dexamethasone clearance.
What to do
Monitor for corticosteroid excess and consider reducing the dexamethasone dose during prolonged co-administration. Short courses usually need only awareness.
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 Dexamethasone
- Bcg vaccine live + Dexamethasone Contraindicated
- Dexamethasone + Mifepristone Contraindicated
- Dexamethasone + Rilpivirine Contraindicated
- Dexamethasone + Smallpox vaccine live Contraindicated
- Dexamethasone + Varicella virus vaccine live Contraindicated
- Dexamethasone + Yellow fever vaccine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Clarithromycin with Dexamethasone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Clarithromycin and Dexamethasone 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 can increase systemic dexamethasone exposure, which may heighten corticosteroid effects such as hyperglycemia, fluid retention and adrenal suppression. This is mostly relevant with prolonged or high-dose steroid therapy.
How serious is the interaction between Clarithromycin and Dexamethasone?
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 corticosteroid excess and consider reducing the dexamethasone dose during prolonged co-administration. Short courses usually need only awareness.
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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