Drug interactions
Erythromycin stearate + Nifedipine
Severity: Moderate
Erythromycin stearate and Nifedipine: 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 nifedipine plasma concentrations. This may cause excessive vasodilation with hypotension, flushing, headache and peripheral edema.
What this interaction means in plain words
Erythromycin stearate and Nifedipine 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 intestinal and hepatic CYP3A4-mediated metabolism of nifedipine.
What to do
Monitor blood pressure and heart rate when starting or stopping erythromycin, and reduce the nifedipine dose if hypotension or edema occurs. Consider an antibiotic with less CYP3A4 inhibition, such as azithromycin, if appropriate.
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 Nifedipine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Erythromycin stearate with Nifedipine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Erythromycin stearate and Nifedipine 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 nifedipine plasma concentrations. This may cause excessive vasodilation with hypotension, flushing, headache and peripheral edema.
How serious is the interaction between Erythromycin stearate and Nifedipine?
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 blood pressure and heart rate when starting or stopping erythromycin, and reduce the nifedipine dose if hypotension or edema occurs. Consider an antibiotic with less CYP3A4 inhibition, such as azithromycin, if appropriate.
What other medicines interact with Nifedipine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Nifedipine with, for example, Amifostine, Amlodipine-benazepril, Apalutamide. The full list is on the Nifedipine page.
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