Drug interactions
Erythromycin + Vincristine
Severity: Major
Erythromycin and Vincristine: 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
Erythromycin may increase vincristine exposure, raising the risk of severe neurotoxicity, including peripheral neuropathy and constipation or ileus. Serious toxicity has been reported with CYP3A4 inhibitors given with vincristine.
What this interaction means in plain words
Erythromycin and Vincristine 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; Vincristine belongs to Oncology.
Why it happens
Inhibition of CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein by erythromycin reduces vincristine clearance.
What to do
Avoid the combination where possible and choose a non-inhibiting antibiotic. If unavoidable, monitor closely for neuropathy, ileus and myelosuppression.
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 Vincristine, 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 Vincristine
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Vincristine Contraindicated
- Apalutamide + Vincristine Major
- Atazanavir + Vincristine Major
- Ceritinib + Vincristine Major
- Chloramphenicol + Vincristine Major
- Clarithromycin + Vincristine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Erythromycin with Vincristine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Erythromycin and Vincristine 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 may increase vincristine exposure, raising the risk of severe neurotoxicity, including peripheral neuropathy and constipation or ileus. Serious toxicity has been reported with CYP3A4 inhibitors given with vincristine.
How serious is the interaction between Erythromycin and Vincristine?
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 the combination where possible and choose a non-inhibiting antibiotic. If unavoidable, monitor closely for neuropathy, ileus and myelosuppression.
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.
