Drug interactions
Clarithromycin + Secobarbital
Severity: Moderate
Clarithromycin and Secobarbital: 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
Barbiturates induce hepatic enzymes and can reduce clarithromycin levels, potentially compromising antibacterial efficacy. Additive CNS depression from secobarbital is unaffected but remains a consideration.
What this interaction means in plain words
Clarithromycin and Secobarbital 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; Secobarbital belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Barbiturate induction of CYP3A4 increases clarithromycin metabolism.
What to do
Monitor clinical response to clarithromycin and consider an alternative antibiotic not reliant on CYP3A4 such as azithromycin for serious infections.
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 Secobarbital
- Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates + Secobarbital Contraindicated
- Doravirine + Secobarbital Contraindicated
- Elbasvir / grazoprevir + Secobarbital Contraindicated
- Elvitegravir / cobicistat / emtricitabine / tenofovir df + Secobarbital Contraindicated
- Isavuconazonium + Secobarbital Contraindicated
- Lonafarnib + Secobarbital Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Clarithromycin with Secobarbital?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Clarithromycin and Secobarbital 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. Barbiturates induce hepatic enzymes and can reduce clarithromycin levels, potentially compromising antibacterial efficacy. Additive CNS depression from secobarbital is unaffected but remains a consideration.
How serious is the interaction between Clarithromycin and Secobarbital?
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 not reliant on CYP3A4 such as azithromycin for serious infections.
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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