Drug interactions
Erythromycin + Nicardipine
Severity: Moderate
Erythromycin and Nicardipine: 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 raise nicardipine levels, leading to hypotension, flushing, edema or reflex tachycardia. The effect is predicted from CYP3A4 inhibition and is variable.
What this interaction means in plain words
Erythromycin and Nicardipine 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 belongs to Anti Bacterial; Nicardipine belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Erythromycin inhibits CYP3A4, which metabolizes nicardipine.
What to do
Monitor blood pressure and heart rate when starting or stopping erythromycin. Reduce the nicardipine dose if hypotension occurs.
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 Nicardipine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Erythromycin with Nicardipine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Erythromycin and Nicardipine 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 raise nicardipine levels, leading to hypotension, flushing, edema or reflex tachycardia. The effect is predicted from CYP3A4 inhibition and is variable.
How serious is the interaction between Erythromycin and Nicardipine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor blood pressure and heart rate when starting or stopping erythromycin. Reduce the nicardipine dose if hypotension occurs.
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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