Drug interactions
Clarithromycin + Ipratropium-salbutamol
Severity: Moderate
Clarithromycin and Ipratropium-salbutamol: 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 prolongs the QT interval and can cause torsades de pointes. Salbutamol may add to the risk through beta-agonist effects and hypokalemia, particularly at high doses or with other risk factors.
What this interaction means in plain words
Clarithromycin and Ipratropium-salbutamol 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; Ipratropium-salbutamol belongs to Respiratory.
Why it happens
Additive QT prolongation, with salbutamol-induced hypokalemia increasing susceptibility.
What to do
Check ECG and electrolytes in patients with cardiac disease or other QT-prolonging drugs. Avoid high-dose nebulised salbutamol where possible during clarithromycin therapy.
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 Ipratropium-salbutamol
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 Ipratropium-salbutamol?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Clarithromycin and Ipratropium-salbutamol 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 prolongs the QT interval and can cause torsades de pointes. Salbutamol may add to the risk through beta-agonist effects and hypokalemia, particularly at high doses or with other risk factors.
How serious is the interaction between Clarithromycin and Ipratropium-salbutamol?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Check ECG and electrolytes in patients with cardiac disease or other QT-prolonging drugs. Avoid high-dose nebulised salbutamol where possible during clarithromycin therapy.
What other medicines interact with Ipratropium-salbutamol?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Ipratropium-salbutamol with, for example, Amisulpride, Arsenic trioxide, Carvedilol. The full list is on the Ipratropium-salbutamol page.
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