Drug interactions
Clarithromycin + Venlafaxine
Severity: Moderate
Clarithromycin and Venlafaxine: 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 raise venlafaxine concentrations, increasing adverse effects such as nausea, blood pressure elevation and serotonergic symptoms. Both drugs have some QT-prolonging potential.
What this interaction means in plain words
Clarithromycin and Venlafaxine 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; Venlafaxine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
CYP3A4 inhibition reduces the minor metabolic pathway of venlafaxine, with possible additive QT effects.
What to do
Monitor blood pressure, heart rate and serotonergic symptoms during coadministration. Consider an alternative antibiotic in patients with QT risk factors.
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 Venlafaxine
- Isocarboxazid + Venlafaxine Contraindicated
- Methylene blue + Venlafaxine Contraindicated
- Phenelzine + Venlafaxine Contraindicated
- Procarbazine + Venlafaxine Contraindicated
- Rasagiline + Venlafaxine Contraindicated
- Safinamide + Venlafaxine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Clarithromycin with Venlafaxine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Clarithromycin and Venlafaxine 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 raise venlafaxine concentrations, increasing adverse effects such as nausea, blood pressure elevation and serotonergic symptoms. Both drugs have some QT-prolonging potential.
How serious is the interaction between Clarithromycin and Venlafaxine?
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 blood pressure, heart rate and serotonergic symptoms during coadministration. Consider an alternative antibiotic in patients with QT risk factors.
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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