Drug interactions
Erythromycin + Nifedipine
Severity: Moderate
Erythromycin and Nifedipine: 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 can increase nifedipine exposure, causing hypotension, peripheral edema and tachycardia. Case reports describe significant hypotension with this combination.
What this interaction means in plain words
Erythromycin and Nifedipine 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; Nifedipine belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Erythromycin inhibits intestinal and hepatic CYP3A4, the main metabolic pathway of nifedipine.
What to do
Monitor blood pressure and heart rate closely during combined use. Reduce the nifedipine dose if hypotension occurs, or choose a non-macrolide antibiotic.
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 Nifedipine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Erythromycin with Nifedipine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Erythromycin and Nifedipine 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 can increase nifedipine exposure, causing hypotension, peripheral edema and tachycardia. Case reports describe significant hypotension with this combination.
How serious is the interaction between Erythromycin and Nifedipine?
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 closely during combined use. Reduce the nifedipine dose if hypotension occurs, or choose a non-macrolide antibiotic.
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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