Drug interactions
Erythromycin + Suvorexant
Severity: Moderate
Erythromycin and Suvorexant: 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 increases suvorexant exposure, which can cause next-day somnolence, impaired driving and other CNS depression.
What this interaction means in plain words
Erythromycin and Suvorexant 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; Suvorexant belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Moderate CYP3A4 inhibition by erythromycin reduces suvorexant clearance.
What to do
Start suvorexant at 5 mg at bedtime, with a maximum of 10 mg, while erythromycin is used. Counsel the patient about daytime drowsiness.
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 Suvorexant
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Erythromycin with Suvorexant?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Erythromycin and Suvorexant 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 increases suvorexant exposure, which can cause next-day somnolence, impaired driving and other CNS depression.
How serious is the interaction between Erythromycin and Suvorexant?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Start suvorexant at 5 mg at bedtime, with a maximum of 10 mg, while erythromycin is used. Counsel the patient about daytime drowsiness.
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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