Drug interactions
Clarithromycin + Estradiol
Severity: Minor
Clarithromycin and Estradiol: minor 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 raise estradiol concentrations by inhibiting its CYP3A4-mediated metabolism. This may increase estrogenic adverse effects such as breast tenderness, fluid retention or breakthrough bleeding. The effect is usually modest and short-lived during a typical antibiotic course.
What this interaction means in plain words
Clarithromycin and Estradiol have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Clarithromycin belongs to Anti Bacterial; Estradiol belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Clarithromycin inhibits intestinal and hepatic CYP3A4, reducing estradiol clearance.
What to do
No routine dose change is needed for a short course of clarithromycin; advise the patient to report estrogenic adverse effects. Review the need for continued combination if clarithromycin is used long term.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there anything I should notice while taking both?
- Do I need to tell my doctor at the next visit?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Clarithromycin and Estradiol, 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 Estradiol
- Anastrozole + Estradiol Contraindicated
- Estradiol + Fezolinetant Contraindicated
- Estradiol + Ospemifene Contraindicated
- Antithrombin alfa + Estradiol Major
- Antithrombin iii + Estradiol Major
- Estradiol + Exemestane Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Clarithromycin with Estradiol?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Clarithromycin and Estradiol have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Clarithromycin can raise estradiol concentrations by inhibiting its CYP3A4-mediated metabolism. This may increase estrogenic adverse effects such as breast tenderness, fluid retention or breakthrough bleeding. The effect is usually modest and short-lived during a typical antibiotic course.
How serious is the interaction between Clarithromycin and Estradiol?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: No routine dose change is needed for a short course of clarithromycin; advise the patient to report estrogenic adverse effects. Review the need for continued combination if clarithromycin is used long term.
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.
