Drug interactions
Clarithromycin + Etravirine
Severity: Moderate
Clarithromycin and Etravirine: 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
Etravirine lowers clarithromycin concentrations of the parent drug while raising its active 14-hydroxy metabolite, which may reduce efficacy against some pathogens such as Mycobacterium avium complex. Etravirine exposure may rise slightly, which is not usually significant.
What this interaction means in plain words
Clarithromycin and Etravirine 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; Etravirine belongs to Anti Virals.
Why it happens
Etravirine induces CYP3A4, lowering clarithromycin and increasing its metabolite, while clarithromycin may weakly raise etravirine through CYP inhibition.
What to do
Use an alternative agent such as azithromycin for MAC infection. For other indications, monitor clinical response.
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 Etravirine
- Efavirenz + Etravirine Contraindicated
- Etravirine + Isavuconazole Contraindicated
- Amobarbital + Etravirine Major
- Apalutamide + Etravirine Major
- Carbamazepine + Etravirine Major
- Cobicistat + Etravirine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Clarithromycin with Etravirine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Clarithromycin and Etravirine 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. Etravirine lowers clarithromycin concentrations of the parent drug while raising its active 14-hydroxy metabolite, which may reduce efficacy against some pathogens such as Mycobacterium avium complex. Etravirine exposure may rise slightly, which is not usually significant.
How serious is the interaction between Clarithromycin and Etravirine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Use an alternative agent such as azithromycin for MAC infection. For other indications, monitor clinical response.
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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