Drug interactions
Erythromycin + Sertraline
Severity: Moderate
Erythromycin and Sertraline: 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 agents have some potential to prolong the QT interval, so combined use may modestly increase arrhythmia risk. Sertraline has a comparatively low QT liability, so the risk is mostly relevant in patients with other risk factors.
What this interaction means in plain words
Erythromycin and Sertraline 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; Sertraline belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive effects on cardiac repolarization; erythromycin may also slightly raise sertraline levels through CYP inhibition.
What to do
Check baseline QTc and electrolytes in patients with cardiac risk factors. Consider an alternative antibiotic if other QT-prolonging drugs are used.
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 Sertraline
- Isocarboxazid + Sertraline Contraindicated
- Methylene blue + Sertraline Contraindicated
- Phenelzine + Sertraline Contraindicated
- Pimozide + Sertraline Contraindicated
- Selegiline transdermal + Sertraline Contraindicated
- Selegiline + Sertraline Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Erythromycin with Sertraline?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Erythromycin and Sertraline 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 agents have some potential to prolong the QT interval, so combined use may modestly increase arrhythmia risk. Sertraline has a comparatively low QT liability, so the risk is mostly relevant in patients with other risk factors.
How serious is the interaction between Erythromycin and Sertraline?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Check baseline QTc and electrolytes in patients with cardiac risk factors. Consider an alternative antibiotic if other QT-prolonging drugs are used.
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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