Drug interactions
Clindamycin + Erythromycin
Severity: Moderate
Clindamycin and Erythromycin: 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
Erythromycin and clindamycin bind to overlapping sites on the bacterial 50S ribosomal subunit, so in vitro they can compete and reduce each other's activity. Clinical significance is uncertain, but there is little reason to combine them.
What this interaction means in plain words
Clindamycin and Erythromycin 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.
Clindamycin belongs to Anti Bacterial; Erythromycin belongs to Anti Bacterial.
Why it happens
Competitive binding at the 50S ribosomal subunit, causing antagonism.
What to do
Avoid using both together; select a single agent according to the organism and susceptibility results.
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 Erythromycin
- Conivaptan + Erythromycin Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine intranasal + Erythromycin Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine + Erythromycin Contraindicated
- Domperidone + Erythromycin Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Erythromycin Contraindicated
- Droperidol + Erythromycin Contraindicated
Other interactions of Clindamycin
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Clindamycin with Erythromycin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Clindamycin and Erythromycin 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. Erythromycin and clindamycin bind to overlapping sites on the bacterial 50S ribosomal subunit, so in vitro they can compete and reduce each other's activity. Clinical significance is uncertain, but there is little reason to combine them.
How serious is the interaction between Clindamycin and Erythromycin?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid using both together; select a single agent according to the organism and susceptibility results.
What other medicines interact with Erythromycin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Erythromycin with, for example, Conivaptan, Dihydroergotamine intranasal, Dihydroergotamine. The full list is on the Erythromycin page.
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