Drug interactions
Clarithromycin + Dihydroergotamine
Severity: Contraindicated
Clarithromycin and Dihydroergotamine: contraindicated 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 raises dihydroergotamine concentrations and can precipitate ergotism, with severe peripheral and cerebral vasospasm and ischemia. This is a well-documented, potentially limb- or life-threatening interaction.
What this interaction means in plain words
Clarithromycin and Dihydroergotamine are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two.
Clarithromycin belongs to Anti Bacterial; Dihydroergotamine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Clarithromycin inhibits CYP3A4, reducing metabolism of dihydroergotamine.
What to do
Do not use together; choose a non-CYP3A4-inhibiting antibiotic such as azithromycin, and seek urgent care if numbness, coldness or ischemic symptoms appear.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there an alternative to one of these two medicines for me?
- If both are essential, who is monitoring me and how often?
- Which symptoms mean I should stop and seek help straight away?
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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 intranasal Contraindicated
Other interactions of Dihydroergotamine
- Almotriptan + Dihydroergotamine Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine + Dopamine Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine + Dronedarone Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine + Efavirenz Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine + Eletriptan Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine + Ergotamine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Clarithromycin with Dihydroergotamine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Clarithromycin and Dihydroergotamine are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two. Clarithromycin raises dihydroergotamine concentrations and can precipitate ergotism, with severe peripheral and cerebral vasospasm and ischemia. This is a well-documented, potentially limb- or life-threatening interaction.
How serious is the interaction between Clarithromycin and Dihydroergotamine?
MediHelp rates it contraindicated, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Do not use together; choose a non-CYP3A4-inhibiting antibiotic such as azithromycin, and seek urgent care if numbness, coldness or ischemic symptoms appear.
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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