Drug interactions
Clopidogrel + Erythromycin base
Severity: Moderate
Clopidogrel and Erythromycin base: 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 may reduce conversion of clopidogrel to its active metabolite, potentially weakening platelet inhibition. The clinical impact is uncertain but could matter after stent placement or ACS.
What this interaction means in plain words
Clopidogrel and Erythromycin base 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.
Why it happens
CYP3A4 inhibition may reduce bioactivation of clopidogrel, lowering active metabolite exposure.
What to do
Where feasible use a non-CYP3A4-inhibiting antibiotic such as azithromycin in high-risk patients. Otherwise monitor for signs of stent thrombosis or ischemic events.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Clopidogrel and Erythromycin base, 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 7 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Clopidogrel
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Clopidogrel with Erythromycin base?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Clopidogrel and Erythromycin base 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 may reduce conversion of clopidogrel to its active metabolite, potentially weakening platelet inhibition. The clinical impact is uncertain but could matter after stent placement or ACS.
How serious is the interaction between Clopidogrel and Erythromycin base?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Where feasible use a non-CYP3A4-inhibiting antibiotic such as azithromycin in high-risk patients. Otherwise monitor for signs of stent thrombosis or ischemic events.
What other medicines interact with Clopidogrel?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Clopidogrel with, for example, Ombitasvir / paritaprevir / ritonavir and dasabuvir, Abrocitinib, Acetylsalicylic acid. The full list is on the Clopidogrel 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.
