Drug interactions
Erythromycin + Paclitaxel
Severity: Moderate
Erythromycin and Paclitaxel: 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 paclitaxel exposure and increase neutropenia and neuropathy. The magnitude is not well defined, but paclitaxel has a narrow therapeutic index.
What this interaction means in plain words
Erythromycin and Paclitaxel 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; Paclitaxel belongs to Oncology.
Why it happens
Erythromycin inhibits CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein, reducing paclitaxel clearance, although CYP2C8 is the main pathway.
What to do
Monitor blood counts and for neuropathy. Consider a non-inhibiting antibiotic and reduce the paclitaxel dose if toxicity 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 Paclitaxel
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Erythromycin with Paclitaxel?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Erythromycin and Paclitaxel 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 paclitaxel exposure and increase neutropenia and neuropathy. The magnitude is not well defined, but paclitaxel has a narrow therapeutic index.
How serious is the interaction between Erythromycin and Paclitaxel?
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 counts and for neuropathy. Consider a non-inhibiting antibiotic and reduce the paclitaxel dose if toxicity 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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