Drug interactions
Clarithromycin + Pravastatin
Severity: Moderate
Clarithromycin and Pravastatin: 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 pravastatin exposure and the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. The effect is moderate because pravastatin is not heavily metabolized by CYP3A4.
What this interaction means in plain words
Clarithromycin and Pravastatin 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; Pravastatin belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Inhibition of OATP1B1 uptake, with possible minor CYP3A4 and efflux effects, raises pravastatin levels.
What to do
Limit the pravastatin dose to 40 mg daily during co-treatment per labeling and watch for muscle symptoms. Consider pausing pravastatin 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 Pravastatin
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Clarithromycin with Pravastatin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Clarithromycin and Pravastatin 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 pravastatin exposure and the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. The effect is moderate because pravastatin is not heavily metabolized by CYP3A4.
How serious is the interaction between Clarithromycin and Pravastatin?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Limit the pravastatin dose to 40 mg daily during co-treatment per labeling and watch for muscle symptoms. Consider pausing pravastatin 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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