Drug interactions
Erythromycin base + Lithium
Severity: Moderate
Erythromycin base and Lithium: 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 prolongs the QT interval and can cause torsades de pointes, and lithium may add to this effect. Gastrointestinal losses from either drug can also worsen electrolyte disturbances.
What this interaction means in plain words
Erythromycin base and Lithium 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
Additive pharmacodynamic QT prolongation.
What to do
Consider a non-QT-prolonging antibiotic where suitable. If the combination is used, monitor the ECG and electrolytes and check lithium levels if vomiting or diarrhea occurs.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Erythromycin base and Lithium, 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 Lithium
- Lithium + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Lithium + Vandetanib Contraindicated
- Aceclofenac + Lithium Major
- Acemetacin + Lithium Major
- Amisulpride + Lithium Major
- Amlodipine-benazepril + Lithium Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Erythromycin base with Lithium?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Erythromycin base and Lithium 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 prolongs the QT interval and can cause torsades de pointes, and lithium may add to this effect. Gastrointestinal losses from either drug can also worsen electrolyte disturbances.
How serious is the interaction between Erythromycin base and Lithium?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Consider a non-QT-prolonging antibiotic where suitable. If the combination is used, monitor the ECG and electrolytes and check lithium levels if vomiting or diarrhea occurs.
What other medicines interact with Lithium?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Lithium with, for example, Thioridazine, Vandetanib, Aceclofenac. The full list is on the Lithium 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.
