Drug interactions
Erythromycin + Paroxetine
Severity: Moderate
Erythromycin and Paroxetine: 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
Both drugs have some potential to prolong the QT interval, so combining them may add to arrhythmia risk. Paroxetine has relatively low QT liability, so the concern is mainly in patients with other risk factors.
What this interaction means in plain words
Erythromycin and Paroxetine 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; Paroxetine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive QT-prolonging pharmacodynamic effects.
What to do
Obtain an ECG and check electrolytes in patients with other QT risk factors; consider 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 Paroxetine
- Isocarboxazid + Paroxetine Contraindicated
- Methylene blue + Paroxetine Contraindicated
- Paroxetine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Paroxetine + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Paroxetine + Procarbazine Contraindicated
- Paroxetine + Selegiline Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Erythromycin with Paroxetine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Erythromycin and Paroxetine 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. Both drugs have some potential to prolong the QT interval, so combining them may add to arrhythmia risk. Paroxetine has relatively low QT liability, so the concern is mainly in patients with other risk factors.
How serious is the interaction between Erythromycin and Paroxetine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Obtain an ECG and check electrolytes in patients with other QT risk factors; consider 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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