Drug interactions
Clarithromycin + Flurazepam
Severity: Moderate
Clarithromycin and Flurazepam: 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 increase levels of flurazepam's active metabolites and enhance sedation, psychomotor impairment and respiratory depression. Older adults are at particular risk.
What this interaction means in plain words
Clarithromycin and Flurazepam 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.
Why it happens
Clarithromycin inhibits CYP3A4, which contributes to benzodiazepine metabolism.
What to do
Monitor for excessive sedation and consider a lower flurazepam dose. Consider an alternative such as lorazepam, which is not CYP3A4 dependent.
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 Flurazepam, 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
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Clarithromycin with Flurazepam?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Clarithromycin and Flurazepam 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 increase levels of flurazepam's active metabolites and enhance sedation, psychomotor impairment and respiratory depression. Older adults are at particular risk.
How serious is the interaction between Clarithromycin and Flurazepam?
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 excessive sedation and consider a lower flurazepam dose. Consider an alternative such as lorazepam, which is not CYP3A4 dependent.
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.
