Drug interactions
Clopidogrel + Erythromycin
Severity: Moderate
Clopidogrel 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 may reduce conversion of clopidogrel to its active metabolite and so lessen platelet inhibition. The clinical significance is uncertain but could matter in high thrombotic risk patients such as after stenting.
What this interaction means in plain words
Clopidogrel 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.
Clopidogrel belongs to Cardiovascular; Erythromycin belongs to Anti Bacterial.
Why it happens
CYP3A4 inhibition by erythromycin may reduce bioactivation of clopidogrel.
What to do
Consider azithromycin or another non-CYP3A4-inhibiting antibiotic in high-risk patients. Otherwise monitor for cardiovascular 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?
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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 Clopidogrel
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Clopidogrel with Erythromycin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Clopidogrel 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 may reduce conversion of clopidogrel to its active metabolite and so lessen platelet inhibition. The clinical significance is uncertain but could matter in high thrombotic risk patients such as after stenting.
How serious is the interaction between Clopidogrel 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: Consider azithromycin or another non-CYP3A4-inhibiting antibiotic in high-risk patients. Otherwise monitor for cardiovascular events.
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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