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Drug interactions

Clarithromycin + Ziprasidone

Severity: Contraindicated

Clarithromycin and Ziprasidone: contraindicated 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

Both drugs prolong the QT interval, and ziprasidone is contraindicated with other QT-prolonging drugs. Combined use raises the risk of torsades de pointes and sudden cardiac death.

What this interaction means in plain words

Clarithromycin and Ziprasidone are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two.

Clarithromycin belongs to Anti Bacterial; Ziprasidone belongs to Central Nervous System.

Evidence level: Moderate

Why it happens

Additive prolongation of cardiac repolarization (QT interval).

What to do

Avoid the combination and use a non-QT-prolonging antibiotic.

What to ask your pharmacist

  • Is there an alternative to one of these two medicines for me?
  • If both are essential, who is monitoring me and how often?
  • Which symptoms mean I should stop and seek help straight away?

Bring a full list of your medicines, including over-the-counter products, supplements and herbal remedies, to every pharmacy visit.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I take Clarithromycin with Ziprasidone?

MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Clarithromycin and Ziprasidone are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two. Both drugs prolong the QT interval, and ziprasidone is contraindicated with other QT-prolonging drugs. Combined use raises the risk of torsades de pointes and sudden cardiac death.

How serious is the interaction between Clarithromycin and Ziprasidone?

MediHelp rates it contraindicated, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid the combination and use a non-QT-prolonging antibiotic.

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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