Drug interactions
Clarithromycin + Primidone
Severity: Moderate
Clarithromycin and Primidone: 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
Primidone is metabolised to phenobarbital, a CYP3A4 inducer, and can lower clarithromycin concentrations. This may reduce antibacterial efficacy.
What this interaction means in plain words
Clarithromycin and Primidone 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; Primidone belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Primidone and its metabolite phenobarbital induce CYP3A4, increasing clarithromycin clearance.
What to do
Monitor clinical response to clarithromycin and consider an alternative antibiotic if treatment failure is a concern.
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 Primidone
- Lorlatinib + Primidone Contraindicated
- Lurasidone + Primidone Contraindicated
- Primidone + Ranolazine Contraindicated
- Primidone + Sofosbuvir-velpatasvir-voxilaprevir Contraindicated
- Primidone + Voriconazole Contraindicated
- Abiraterone + Primidone Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Clarithromycin with Primidone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Clarithromycin and Primidone 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. Primidone is metabolised to phenobarbital, a CYP3A4 inducer, and can lower clarithromycin concentrations. This may reduce antibacterial efficacy.
How serious is the interaction between Clarithromycin and Primidone?
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 clinical response to clarithromycin and consider an alternative antibiotic if treatment failure is a concern.
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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