Drug interactions
Erythromycin + Oxacillin
Severity: Minor
Erythromycin and Oxacillin: minor 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
Bacteriostatic macrolides have been proposed to blunt the killing activity of beta-lactams that depend on actively dividing bacteria. Clinical evidence of treatment failure with this specific pair is scant and the concern is largely theoretical.
What this interaction means in plain words
Erythromycin and Oxacillin have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Erythromycin belongs to Anti Bacterial; Oxacillin belongs to Anti Bacterial.
Why it happens
Pharmacodynamic antagonism, in which inhibition of bacterial protein synthesis may reduce the cell-wall-dependent bactericidal action of oxacillin.
What to do
Avoid combining unnecessarily in severe infections such as endocarditis or meningitis, where bactericidal activity is essential; otherwise no change is needed.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there anything I should notice while taking both?
- Do I need to tell my doctor at the next visit?
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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 Oxacillin
- Bcg vaccine live + Oxacillin Moderate
- Chloramphenicol + Oxacillin Moderate
- Cholera vaccine + Oxacillin Moderate
- Demeclocycline + Oxacillin Moderate
- Doxycycline + Oxacillin Moderate
- Microbiota + Oxacillin Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Erythromycin with Oxacillin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Erythromycin and Oxacillin have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Bacteriostatic macrolides have been proposed to blunt the killing activity of beta-lactams that depend on actively dividing bacteria. Clinical evidence of treatment failure with this specific pair is scant and the concern is largely theoretical.
How serious is the interaction between Erythromycin and Oxacillin?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid combining unnecessarily in severe infections such as endocarditis or meningitis, where bactericidal activity is essential; otherwise no change is needed.
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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