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Drug interactions

Erythromycin ethylsuccinate + Secobarbital

Severity: Moderate

Erythromycin ethylsuccinate and Secobarbital: 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

Secobarbital, a barbiturate, can induce hepatic and intestinal CYP3A4 and lower erythromycin exposure. This may cause reduced antibacterial effect and treatment failure.

What this interaction means in plain words

Erythromycin ethylsuccinate and Secobarbital 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.

Evidence level: Low

Why it happens

Barbiturate-mediated induction of CYP3A4 increases erythromycin metabolism and lowers its plasma concentrations.

What to do

Monitor clinical response to the antibiotic and consider an alternative antibacterial not dependent on CYP3A4 if response is inadequate. Reassess dosing when secobarbital is started or stopped.

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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Frequently asked questions

Can I take Erythromycin ethylsuccinate with Secobarbital?

MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Erythromycin ethylsuccinate and Secobarbital 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. Secobarbital, a barbiturate, can induce hepatic and intestinal CYP3A4 and lower erythromycin exposure. This may cause reduced antibacterial effect and treatment failure.

How serious is the interaction between Erythromycin ethylsuccinate and Secobarbital?

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 clinical response to the antibiotic and consider an alternative antibacterial not dependent on CYP3A4 if response is inadequate. Reassess dosing when secobarbital is started or stopped.

What other medicines interact with Secobarbital?

MediHelp also lists interactions of Secobarbital with, for example, Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates, Doravirine, Elbasvir / grazoprevir. The full list is on the Secobarbital page.

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