Drug interactions
Clarithromycin + Pioglitazone
Severity: Minor
Clarithromycin and Pioglitazone: minor 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 modestly raise pioglitazone levels, which could enhance glucose lowering and fluid retention. The clinical significance is generally small.
What this interaction means in plain words
Clarithromycin and Pioglitazone have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Clarithromycin belongs to Anti Bacterial; Pioglitazone belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Inhibition of CYP3A4 slightly reduces pioglitazone metabolism, though CYP2C8 is the main pathway.
What to do
No routine dose change is needed. Monitor blood glucose and for edema during co-treatment.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there anything I should notice while taking both?
- Do I need to tell my doctor at the next visit?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Clarithromycin and Pioglitazone, 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
Other interactions of Pioglitazone
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Clarithromycin with Pioglitazone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Clarithromycin and Pioglitazone have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Clarithromycin may modestly raise pioglitazone levels, which could enhance glucose lowering and fluid retention. The clinical significance is generally small.
How serious is the interaction between Clarithromycin and Pioglitazone?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: No routine dose change is needed. Monitor blood glucose and for edema during co-treatment.
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.
