Drug interactions
Clindamycin + Rocuronium
Severity: Major
Clindamycin and Rocuronium: 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 deepen and prolong paralysis from rocuronium. Recovery of spontaneous breathing may be delayed.
What this interaction means in plain words
Clindamycin and Rocuronium 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 belongs to Anti Bacterial; Rocuronium belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive neuromuscular blockade through presynaptic and postsynaptic inhibition of transmission by clindamycin.
What to do
Monitor train-of-four and titrate rocuronium to effect. Ensure full recovery of neuromuscular function before extubation.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Clindamycin and Rocuronium, 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 14 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Rocuronium
Other interactions of Clindamycin
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Clindamycin with Rocuronium?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Clindamycin and Rocuronium 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 deepen and prolong paralysis from rocuronium. Recovery of spontaneous breathing may be delayed.
How serious is the interaction between Clindamycin and Rocuronium?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor train-of-four and titrate rocuronium to effect. Ensure full recovery of neuromuscular function before extubation.
What other medicines interact with Rocuronium?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Rocuronium with, for example, Amikacin, Bacitracin-neomycin-polymyxin, Capreomycin. The full list is on the Rocuronium 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.
