Drug interactions
Erythromycin + Vemurafenib
Severity: Major
Erythromycin and Vemurafenib: major 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 can prolong the QT interval, and erythromycin may also raise vemurafenib levels through CYP3A4 inhibition. This increases the risk of arrhythmia including torsades de pointes.
What this interaction means in plain words
Erythromycin and Vemurafenib can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Erythromycin belongs to Anti Bacterial; Vemurafenib belongs to Oncology.
Why it happens
Additive QT prolongation with possible CYP3A4 inhibition increasing vemurafenib exposure.
What to do
Avoid if possible and choose a non-QT-prolonging antibiotic. If necessary, monitor ECG and electrolytes before and during therapy.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Erythromycin and Vemurafenib, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.
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 Vemurafenib
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Erythromycin with Vemurafenib?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Erythromycin and Vemurafenib can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Both drugs can prolong the QT interval, and erythromycin may also raise vemurafenib levels through CYP3A4 inhibition. This increases the risk of arrhythmia including torsades de pointes.
How serious is the interaction between Erythromycin and Vemurafenib?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid if possible and choose a non-QT-prolonging antibiotic. If necessary, monitor ECG and electrolytes before and during therapy.
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.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
