Drug interactions
Clarithromycin + Pitavastatin
Severity: Moderate
Clarithromycin and Pitavastatin: 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 pitavastatin levels and the risk of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis. Pitavastatin has little CYP3A4 metabolism, so the effect is smaller than with simvastatin or lovastatin.
What this interaction means in plain words
Clarithromycin and Pitavastatin 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; Pitavastatin belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Inhibition of hepatic uptake transporter OATP1B1 raises pitavastatin plasma concentrations.
What to do
Monitor for muscle pain, weakness or dark urine. Consider temporarily withholding pitavastatin during a short clarithromycin course.
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 Pitavastatin
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Clarithromycin with Pitavastatin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Clarithromycin and Pitavastatin 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 pitavastatin levels and the risk of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis. Pitavastatin has little CYP3A4 metabolism, so the effect is smaller than with simvastatin or lovastatin.
How serious is the interaction between Clarithromycin and Pitavastatin?
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 muscle pain, weakness or dark urine. Consider temporarily withholding pitavastatin during a short clarithromycin course.
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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