Drug interactions
Clarithromycin + Hydrocortisone
Severity: Moderate
Clarithromycin and Hydrocortisone: 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 inhibits CYP3A4 and can raise systemic exposure to hydrocortisone. This may increase corticosteroid effects such as fluid retention, hyperglycemia, and adrenal suppression, particularly with prolonged use.
What this interaction means in plain words
Clarithromycin and Hydrocortisone 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; Hydrocortisone belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Clarithromycin inhibits CYP3A4-mediated metabolism of hydrocortisone, reducing its clearance.
What to do
Monitor for corticosteroid excess (blood glucose, blood pressure, edema) during combined therapy and reduce the hydrocortisone dose if needed. Consider azithromycin if prolonged coadministration is expected.
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 Hydrocortisone
- Hydrocortisone + Mifepristone Contraindicated
- Hydrocortisone + Poliovirus vaccine live oral trivalent Contraindicated
- Hydrocortisone + Smallpox vaccine live Contraindicated
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Hydrocortisone Major
- Aldesleukin + Hydrocortisone Major
- Aspirin + Hydrocortisone Major
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 Hydrocortisone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Clarithromycin and Hydrocortisone 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 inhibits CYP3A4 and can raise systemic exposure to hydrocortisone. This may increase corticosteroid effects such as fluid retention, hyperglycemia, and adrenal suppression, particularly with prolonged use.
How serious is the interaction between Clarithromycin and Hydrocortisone?
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 (blood glucose, blood pressure, edema) during combined therapy and reduce the hydrocortisone dose if needed. Consider azithromycin if prolonged coadministration is expected.
What other medicines interact with Hydrocortisone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Hydrocortisone with, for example, Mifepristone, Poliovirus vaccine live oral trivalent, Smallpox vaccine live. The full list is on the Hydrocortisone page.
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