Drug interactions
Erythromycin lactobionate + Lithium
Severity: Moderate
Erythromycin lactobionate 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
Intravenous erythromycin prolongs the QT interval and can cause torsades de pointes, and lithium may add to this effect. The risk is higher with rapid infusion, electrolyte disturbance or cardiac disease.
What this interaction means in plain words
Erythromycin lactobionate 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 lactobionate belongs to Anti Bacterial; Lithium belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive pharmacodynamic QT prolongation.
What to do
Consider a non-QT-prolonging antibiotic where suitable. If the combination is used, infuse slowly and monitor the ECG and electrolytes.
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 Lithium
- Lithium + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Lithium + Vandetanib Contraindicated
- Aceclofenac + Lithium Major
- Acemetacin + Lithium Major
- Amisulpride + Lithium Major
- Amlodipine-benazepril + Lithium Major
Other interactions of Erythromycin lactobionate
- Cisapride + Erythromycin lactobionate Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine + Erythromycin lactobionate Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Erythromycin lactobionate Contraindicated
- Eletriptan + Erythromycin lactobionate Contraindicated
- Ergotamine + Erythromycin lactobionate Contraindicated
- Erythromycin lactobionate + Flibanserin Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Erythromycin lactobionate with Lithium?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Erythromycin lactobionate 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. Intravenous erythromycin prolongs the QT interval and can cause torsades de pointes, and lithium may add to this effect. The risk is higher with rapid infusion, electrolyte disturbance or cardiac disease.
How serious is the interaction between Erythromycin lactobionate 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, infuse slowly and monitor the ECG and electrolytes.
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.
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