Drug interactions
Erythromycin + Rosuvastatin
Severity: Moderate
Erythromycin and Rosuvastatin: 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 modestly raise rosuvastatin exposure, possibly through inhibition of hepatic uptake transporters. This could increase the risk of muscle toxicity, although the effect is generally small.
What this interaction means in plain words
Erythromycin and Rosuvastatin 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; Rosuvastatin belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Possible inhibition of OATP1B1-mediated hepatic uptake of rosuvastatin.
What to do
Counsel the patient to report muscle pain, weakness or dark urine, and check creatine kinase if symptoms occur. Consider temporarily holding the statin for a longer antibiotic course.
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 Rosuvastatin
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Erythromycin with Rosuvastatin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Erythromycin and Rosuvastatin 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 modestly raise rosuvastatin exposure, possibly through inhibition of hepatic uptake transporters. This could increase the risk of muscle toxicity, although the effect is generally small.
How serious is the interaction between Erythromycin and Rosuvastatin?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Counsel the patient to report muscle pain, weakness or dark urine, and check creatine kinase if symptoms occur. Consider temporarily holding the statin for a longer antibiotic course.
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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