Drug interactions
Clarithromycin + Prednisone
Severity: Moderate
Clarithromycin and Prednisone: 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 exposure to prednisolone, the active metabolite, and amplify steroid adverse effects. The effect is modest with prednisone compared with methylprednisolone.
What this interaction means in plain words
Clarithromycin and Prednisone 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; Prednisone belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Clarithromycin inhibits CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein, reducing corticosteroid clearance.
What to do
Monitor for hyperglycemia, fluid retention and other steroid effects. Lower the corticosteroid dose if needed during prolonged courses.
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 Prednisone
- Bcg vaccine live + Prednisone Contraindicated
- Measles vaccine + Prednisone Contraindicated
- Mifepristone + Prednisone Contraindicated
- Prednisone + Radium-223 dichloride Contraindicated
- Prednisone + Smallpox vaccine live Contraindicated
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Prednisone Major
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 Prednisone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Clarithromycin and Prednisone 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 exposure to prednisolone, the active metabolite, and amplify steroid adverse effects. The effect is modest with prednisone compared with methylprednisolone.
How serious is the interaction between Clarithromycin and Prednisone?
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 hyperglycemia, fluid retention and other steroid effects. Lower the corticosteroid dose if needed during prolonged courses.
What other medicines interact with Prednisone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Prednisone with, for example, Bcg vaccine live, Measles vaccine, Mifepristone. The full list is on the Prednisone page.
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