Drug interactions
Erlotinib + Erythromycin stearate
Severity: Moderate
Erlotinib and Erythromycin stearate: 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 is a CYP3A4 inhibitor and can raise erlotinib exposure. Higher erlotinib levels may increase rash, diarrhea and other dose-related toxicities.
What this interaction means in plain words
Erlotinib and Erythromycin stearate 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
Erythromycin inhibits CYP3A4-mediated hepatic and intestinal metabolism of erlotinib.
What to do
Prefer a non-CYP3A4-inhibiting antibiotic such as azithromycin where appropriate. If combined, monitor for erlotinib toxicity and reduce the erlotinib dose in 50 mg steps if severe reactions occur.
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 Erlotinib and Erythromycin stearate, 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 Erlotinib
- Amobarbital + Erlotinib Major
- Apalutamide + Erlotinib Major
- Carbamazepine + Erlotinib Major
- Cobicistat + Erlotinib Major
- Darunavir + Erlotinib Major
- Dexlansoprazole + Erlotinib Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Erlotinib with Erythromycin stearate?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Erlotinib and Erythromycin stearate 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 is a CYP3A4 inhibitor and can raise erlotinib exposure. Higher erlotinib levels may increase rash, diarrhea and other dose-related toxicities.
How serious is the interaction between Erlotinib and Erythromycin stearate?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Prefer a non-CYP3A4-inhibiting antibiotic such as azithromycin where appropriate. If combined, monitor for erlotinib toxicity and reduce the erlotinib dose in 50 mg steps if severe reactions occur.
What other medicines interact with Erlotinib?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Erlotinib with, for example, Amobarbital, Apalutamide, Carbamazepine. The full list is on the Erlotinib 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.
