Drug interactions
Clarithromycin + Octreotide
Severity: Moderate
Clarithromycin and Octreotide: 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
Octreotide can cause bradycardia and QT prolongation, which may be additive with clarithromycin. The risk of torsades is increased in patients with cardiac disease or electrolyte abnormalities.
What this interaction means in plain words
Clarithromycin and Octreotide 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; Octreotide belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Additive pharmacodynamic QT prolongation, with octreotide-associated bradycardia as a further contributor.
What to do
Monitor ECG and correct potassium and magnesium in at-risk patients. Choose a non-QT-prolonging antibiotic if the patient has significant cardiac risk.
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 Octreotide
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Clarithromycin with Octreotide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Clarithromycin and Octreotide 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. Octreotide can cause bradycardia and QT prolongation, which may be additive with clarithromycin. The risk of torsades is increased in patients with cardiac disease or electrolyte abnormalities.
How serious is the interaction between Clarithromycin and Octreotide?
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 ECG and correct potassium and magnesium in at-risk patients. Choose a non-QT-prolonging antibiotic if the patient has significant cardiac risk.
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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