Drug interactions
Erythromycin base + Hydrocortisone
Severity: Moderate
Erythromycin base and Hydrocortisone: 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 inhibits CYP3A4 and can raise systemic corticosteroid exposure, increasing the risk of steroid adverse effects. Hydrocortisone is a less sensitive CYP3A4 substrate than methylprednisolone, so the effect is modest.
What this interaction means in plain words
Erythromycin base and Hydrocortisone 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.
Why it happens
Erythromycin inhibits CYP3A4-mediated metabolism of hydrocortisone, decreasing its clearance.
What to do
Monitor for corticosteroid excess such as hyperglycemia, hypertension and fluid retention during prolonged co-therapy. Reduce the hydrocortisone dose if signs of excess occur.
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 Hydrocortisone
- Hydrocortisone + Mifepristone Contraindicated
- Hydrocortisone + Poliovirus vaccine live oral trivalent Contraindicated
- Hydrocortisone + Smallpox vaccine live Contraindicated
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Hydrocortisone Major
- Aldesleukin + Hydrocortisone Major
- Aspirin + Hydrocortisone Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Erythromycin base with Hydrocortisone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Erythromycin base and Hydrocortisone 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 inhibits CYP3A4 and can raise systemic corticosteroid exposure, increasing the risk of steroid adverse effects. Hydrocortisone is a less sensitive CYP3A4 substrate than methylprednisolone, so the effect is modest.
How serious is the interaction between Erythromycin base and Hydrocortisone?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor for corticosteroid excess such as hyperglycemia, hypertension and fluid retention during prolonged co-therapy. Reduce the hydrocortisone dose if signs of excess occur.
What other medicines interact with Hydrocortisone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Hydrocortisone with, for example, Mifepristone, Poliovirus vaccine live oral trivalent, Smallpox vaccine live. The full list is on the Hydrocortisone page.
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