Drug interactions
Clarithromycin + Valproic acid
Severity: Moderate
Clarithromycin and Valproic acid: 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
Case reports describe raised valproate concentrations and toxicity, including hyperammonemia or sedation, after adding clarithromycin. The evidence is limited and the mechanism is not firmly established.
What this interaction means in plain words
Clarithromycin and Valproic acid 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; Valproic acid belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Possible reduction in valproate metabolism by clarithromycin; mechanism not firmly established.
What to do
Monitor valproate levels and for signs of toxicity such as drowsiness, tremor or confusion during and after the clarithromycin course, adjusting the valproate dose as needed.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Clarithromycin and Valproic acid, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.
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 Valproic acid
- Ertapenem + Valproic acid Contraindicated
- Imipenem / cilastatin / relebactam + Valproic acid Contraindicated
- Imipenem / cilastatin + Valproic acid Contraindicated
- Meropenem / vaborbactam + Valproic acid Contraindicated
- Meropenem + Valproic acid Contraindicated
- Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates + Valproic acid Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Clarithromycin with Valproic acid?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Clarithromycin and Valproic acid 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. Case reports describe raised valproate concentrations and toxicity, including hyperammonemia or sedation, after adding clarithromycin. The evidence is limited and the mechanism is not firmly established.
How serious is the interaction between Clarithromycin and Valproic acid?
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 valproate levels and for signs of toxicity such as drowsiness, tremor or confusion during and after the clarithromycin course, adjusting the valproate dose as needed.
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.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
