Drug interactions
Clindamycin + Rapacuronium
Severity: Major
Clindamycin and Rapacuronium: major 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
Clindamycin has intrinsic neuromuscular blocking activity and can potentiate non-depolarizing neuromuscular blockers. This may prolong paralysis and cause delayed respiratory depression. Rapacuronium has been withdrawn from the market in most countries, so this is mainly of historical relevance.
What this interaction means in plain words
Clindamycin and Rapacuronium can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Why it happens
Clindamycin has additive pre- and postsynaptic neuromuscular blocking effects that potentiate non-depolarizing blockade.
What to do
Avoid the combination where possible. If a neuromuscular blocker and clindamycin must be given together, use quantitative neuromuscular monitoring and have ventilatory support available until full recovery is confirmed.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
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Other interactions of Clindamycin
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Clindamycin with Rapacuronium?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Clindamycin and Rapacuronium can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Clindamycin has intrinsic neuromuscular blocking activity and can potentiate non-depolarizing neuromuscular blockers. This may prolong paralysis and cause delayed respiratory depression. Rapacuronium has been withdrawn from the market in most countries, so this is mainly of historical relevance.
How serious is the interaction between Clindamycin and Rapacuronium?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid the combination where possible. If a neuromuscular blocker and clindamycin must be given together, use quantitative neuromuscular monitoring and have ventilatory support available until full recovery is confirmed.
What other medicines interact with Clindamycin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Clindamycin with, for example, Atracurium, Cisatracurium, Microbiota. The full list is on the Clindamycin page.
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