Drug interactions
Erythromycin + Ibutilide
Severity: Contraindicated
Erythromycin and Ibutilide: contraindicated 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
Both drugs prolong the QT interval, and ibutilide already carries a substantial torsades risk. Adding erythromycin further increases the chance of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia.
What this interaction means in plain words
Erythromycin and Ibutilide are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two.
Erythromycin belongs to Anti Bacterial; Ibutilide belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Additive prolongation of cardiac repolarization via potassium channel blockade.
What to do
Avoid concurrent use; choose a non-QT-prolonging antibiotic around ibutilide administration. If cardioversion is urgent, correct electrolytes and monitor ECG continuously.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there an alternative to one of these two medicines for me?
- If both are essential, who is monitoring me and how often?
- Which symptoms mean I should stop and seek help straight away?
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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 Ibutilide
- Amiodarone + Ibutilide Contraindicated
- Amisulpride + Ibutilide Contraindicated
- Chlorpromazine + Ibutilide Contraindicated
- Clarithromycin + Ibutilide Contraindicated
- Desipramine + Ibutilide Contraindicated
- Dolasetron + Ibutilide Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Erythromycin with Ibutilide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Erythromycin and Ibutilide are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two. Both drugs prolong the QT interval, and ibutilide already carries a substantial torsades risk. Adding erythromycin further increases the chance of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia.
How serious is the interaction between Erythromycin and Ibutilide?
MediHelp rates it contraindicated, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid concurrent use; choose a non-QT-prolonging antibiotic around ibutilide administration. If cardioversion is urgent, correct electrolytes and monitor ECG continuously.
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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