When prescribing a drug, consideration should be given to the possibility of developing cross-resistance between clarithromycin and other drugs of the macrolide group, such as lincomycin and clindamycin.
The use of the following drugs simultaneously with clarithromycin is contraindicated in connection with the possibility of developing serious side effects
Cisapride, pimozide
With simultaneous use with clarithromycin, there are possible: increased cisapride concentration in the blood plasma, an increase in the QT interval on the ECG, arrhythmia, ventricular tachycardia, fibrillation and fluttering and fibrillation of the ventricles.
Terfenadine, astemizole
With simultaneous use with clarithromycin, there are possible: an increase in the concentration of terfenadine and astemizole in the blood plasma, arrhythmia, an increase in the QT interval on the ECG, ventricular tachycardia, fibrillation and fluttering and fibrillation of the ventricles.
Ergotamine, dihydroergotamine
With simultaneous application with clarithromycin, the following side effects associated with acute poisoning with drugs of the ergotamine group can be developed: vascular spasm, ischemia of limbs and other tissues, including the central nervous system.
The effect of other drugs on clarithromycin
The following drugs have a proven or suspected effect on the concentration of clarithromycin; In the case of their simultaneous use with clarithromycin, dose adjustments or alternate treatment may be required.
Efavirenz, nevirapine, rifampicin, rifabutin, rifapentin
Strong inductors of the cytochrome P450 system, such as efavirenz, nevirapine, rifampicin, rifabutin and rifapentin can: accelerate the metabolism of clarithromycin and thus reduce the concentration of clarithromycin in the blood plasma and weaken the therapeutic effect,and at the same time increase the concentration of 14 (R) -hydroxyclarithromycin in blood plasma - a metabolite, also being microbiologically active.
Ritonavir
With the simultaneous administration of ritonavir, the metabolism of clarithromycin is significantly slowed down. The maximum concentration (CmOh) clarithromycin in blood plasma increased by 31%, the minimum concentration (Cmin) - by 182%, the area under the curve "concentration-time" (AUC) - by 77%. There is a significant slowdown in the formation of 14 (R) -hydroxyclaryl thromycin. In this case, in patients without impaired renal function, there is no need to adjust the dose of clarithromycin. In patients with renal insufficiency it is advisable to consider the following options for dose adjustment: with creatinine clearance of 30-60 ml / min, the dose of clarithromycin should be reduced by 50% to a maximum dose of 500 mg (1 film-coated tablet) once a day. Patients with severe renal insufficiency (creatinine clearance less than 30 ml / min) should not take the drug due to the inability to adequately correct (reduce) the dose. When taking ritonavir should not simultaneously prescribe a dosage of clarithromycin more than 1000 mg per day.
Action of clarithromycin on other drugs
Quinidine, disopyramide
Possible development of tachycardia such as "pirouette" with the simultaneous use of clarithromycin and quinidine or disopyramide. When taking clarithromycin concomitantly with these drugs, ECG monitoring should be performed regularly to increase the QT interval, and the concentrations of these drugs should be monitored in blood plasma.
Interactions caused by cytochrome P450 (CYP3A)
Simultaneous reception of clarithromycin with drugs metabolized with the participation of cytochrome P450 (CYP3A), can lead to an increase in their concentrations in the blood plasma, which can enhance or prolong both the therapeutic and side effects. Clarithromycin caution should be given to patients receiving drugs that are substrates of isoenzymes CYP3A, especially if the substrate of isoenzymes CYP3A has a narrow therapeutic range (for example, carbamazepine), and / or is extensively metabolized by these enzymes. If necessary, a dose adjustment of the drug taken concomitantly with clarithromycin should be performed. Also, the concentration of drugs in the blood plasma, primarily metabolized by isoenzymes CYP3A. Metabolism of the following drugs / classes is carried out by the same isoenzymes CYP3A, as the metabolism of clarithromycin: alprazolam, astemizole, carbamazepine, cilostazol, cisapride, ciclosporin, disopyramide, ergot alkaloids, lovastatin, methylprednisolone, midazolam, omeprazole, oral anticoagulants (for example, warfarin), pimozide, quinidine, rifabutin, sildenafil, simvastatin, tacrolimus, terfenadine, triazolam and vinblastine. To drugs interacting in a similar way through other isoenzymes within the cytochrome P450 system, phenytoin, theophylline and valproic acid.
Hydromethylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors
Like other macrolides, clarithromycin increases concentrations of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (lovastatin, simvastatin) in the blood plasma. Rare cases of rhabdomyolysis in patients taking these drugs concomitantly with clarithromycin are described.
Omeprazole
With the simultaneous use of clarithromycin and omeprazole, an increase in the maximum concentration (CmOh) in blood plasma, the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) and the half-life (T1/2) of omeprazole by 30%, 89% and 34%, respectively. The average pH in the stomach for 24 hours was 5.2 with only omeprazole and 5.7 with omeprazole together with clarithromycin.
Oral anticoagulants
It is possible to enhance the effect of oral anticoagulants. If patients simultaneously receive clarithromycin and oral anticoagulants, prothrombin time should be carefully monitored.
Sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil
Each of these inhibitors of phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) is metabolized, at least in part, with the participation of CYP3A isoenzymes. At the same time, CYP3A isoenzymes can be inhibited in the presence of clarithromycin. The combined use of clarithromycin with PDE5 inhibitors can lead to an increase in the inhibitory effect on PDE-5. When using these drugs, you should jointly consider the possibility of reducing the dose of sildenafil, tadalafil or vardenafil.
Theophylline, carbamazepine
It is possible to increase the concentration of theophylline or carbamazepine in blood plasma with simultaneous reception with clarithromycin.
Triazolobenzodiazepines (alprazolam, midazolam, triazolam)
With simultaneous use of midazolam and clarithromycin (500 mg, 2 times per day) showed an increase in the area under the curve "concentration-time" (AUC) midazolam: 2.7 times after intravenous injection of midazolam and 7 times - after oral administration. It is necessary to avoid simultaneous oral administration of midazolam and clarithromycin. If intravenous administration of midazolam is simultaneously assigned clarithromycin, the patient's condition should be carefully monitored for possible dose adjustment. The same precautions should also be applied to other benzodiazepines that are metabolized by CYP3A isoenzymes, including triazolam and alprazolam. For benzodiazepines, the removal of which does not depend on CYP3A isozymes (temazepam, nitrazepam, lorazepam), clinically significant interaction with clarithromycin is unlikely.
With the simultaneous use of clarithromycin and triazolam, it is possible to influence the central nervous system, for example: drowsiness and confusion.
Interaction with other drugs
Colchicine
Colchicine is a substrate for both the CYP3A isoenzymes and the carrier protein responsible for excretion of the drug, P-glycoprotein. Clarithromycin and other macrolides inhibit the isoenzymes CYP3A and P-glycoprotein.With concurrent administration of clarithromycin and colchicine, inhibition of the P-glycoprotein and / or isoenzymes CYP3A can lead to an enhanced colchicine effect. It is necessary to monitor the possible development of clinical symptoms of colchicine intoxication, especially in elderly patients.
Digoxin
With concurrent administration of clarithromycin and digoxin, inhibition of the P-glycopeptide with clarithromycin may lead to an increase in the action of digoxin. Joint reception of digoxin and clarithromycin can also lead to an increase in the concentration of digoxin in the blood plasma, to the development of clinical symptoms of digoxin poisoning, including potentially fatal arrhythmias. With concurrent administration of clarithromycin and digoxin, the concentration of digoxin in the blood plasma should be carefully monitored.
Zidovudine
Simultaneous oral administration of clarithromycin and zidovudine by adult HIV-infected patients may lead to a decrease in the equilibrium concentration of zidovudine. Because the clarithromycin affects the absorption of zidovudine, taking these two drugs should be separated in time.
Bi-directional drug interactions
Atazanavir
Clarithromycin and atazanavir are substrates and inhibitors of CYP3A isoenzymes. Simultaneous use of clarithromycin (500 mg twice daily) and atazanavir (400 mg once a day) may increase the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) of atazanavir by 28%, a twofold increase in the area under the concentration-time curve "(AUC) of clarithromycin, a decrease in the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) of 14 (R) -hydroxyclamirithromycin by 70%. Due to the wide therapeutic range of clarithromycin in patients with normal renal function, a dose reduction is not required. In patients with moderate renal insufficiency (creatinine clearance 30-60 ml / min), the dose of clarithromycin should be reduced by 50%. Clarithromycin in doses exceeding 1000 mg per day, can not be administered simultaneously with protease inhibitors.
Itraconazole
Clarithromycin and itraconazole are substrates and inhibitors of isoenzymes CYP3A. Clarithromycin can increase the concentration of itraconazole in the blood plasma, while itraconazole can increase the concentration of clarithromycin. Patients simultaneously taking itraconazole and clarithromycin, should be carefully examined for symptomsenhance or prolong the duration of the pharmacological effects of these drugs.
Saquinavir
Clarithromycin and saquinavir are substrates and inhibitors of isoenzymes CYP3A. The simultaneous use of clarithromycin (500 mg twice daily) and saquinavir (in soft gelatin capsules, 1200 mg 3 times a day) can cause an increase in the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) and maximum concentration (CmOh) in the plasma of saquinavir by 177% and 187%, respectively, compared with the administration of saquinovir alone. The values of the area under the "concentration-time" curve (AUC) and maximum concentration (CmOh) in the blood plasma of clarithromycin were approximately 40% higher than when taking clarithromycin alone. If these two drugs are used together for a limited time, the dosage indicated above should not be adjusted. The results of a study of drug interactions using saquinavir in soft gelatin capsules may not correspond to the effects observed with saquinavir in hard gelatin capsules. The results of the study of drug interactions in the isolated use of saquinavir may not correspond to the effects observed with saquinavir / ritonavir therapy.When taking saquinavir concomitantly with ritonavir, the potential effect of ritonavir on clarithromycin.
Verapamil
With simultaneous reception with clarithromycin, it is possible: lowering blood pressure, bradyarrhythmia and lactic acidosis.