Drug interactions
Erythromycin + Sevoflurane
Severity: Moderate
Erythromycin and Sevoflurane: 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
Sevoflurane can prolong the QT interval, and erythromycin adds to this effect, so perioperative arrhythmia risk may be increased. The risk is higher with electrolyte imbalance or congenital long QT syndrome.
What this interaction means in plain words
Erythromycin and Sevoflurane 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; Sevoflurane belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive QT prolongation from effects on cardiac repolarization.
What to do
Check electrolytes and the baseline QTc before anesthesia in patients on erythromycin. Monitor the ECG intraoperatively and consider an alternative antibiotic in high-risk patients.
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 Sevoflurane
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Erythromycin with Sevoflurane?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Erythromycin and Sevoflurane 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. Sevoflurane can prolong the QT interval, and erythromycin adds to this effect, so perioperative arrhythmia risk may be increased. The risk is higher with electrolyte imbalance or congenital long QT syndrome.
How serious is the interaction between Erythromycin and Sevoflurane?
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 electrolytes and the baseline QTc before anesthesia in patients on erythromycin. Monitor the ECG intraoperatively and consider an alternative antibiotic in high-risk patients.
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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