Erythromycin drug interactions with other drugs

Carbamazepine may interact with other drugs by inducing their metabolism. Valproic acid increases concentrations ofthe 10,11-epoxide metabolite without affecting the concentration of carbamazepine. The interaction of erythromycin and clarithromycin (CYP3A4 inhibition) with carbamazepine is particularly significant. 

Interactions with other drugs - for example, synergistic QT prolongation can occur when two QT prolonging agents, such as erythromycin + ritonavir, are used together. 

Dirithromycin is a newly marketed macrolide antibiotic. It is similar in spectrum of action to erythromycin, but has an extremely long half-life, greater tissue penetration, and fewer interactions with other drugs metabolized by the cytochrome P450 system. 

In the last 30 years there have been continued instances of drug recalls or precautionary statements due to pharmacovigilance reports and some more notable examples include benoxaprofen and hepatic disorders/ deaths in the elderly and temafloxacin associated hemolytic anemia. Other recent examples are cardiac valve disorders from fenfluramine and phentermine (Fen-Fen), anaphylaxis from zomepirac, rhabdomyoly-sis associated with ceiivastatin and cardiac arrests from drug interactions with terfenadine and drugs which inhibit P450 3A4 like ketoconazole and erythromycin... 

Review of in vitro evaluations and clinical studies suggests that 14-membered ring macrolides appear to be associated with the propensity to interact with other CYP 3A4-metabolized drugs, whereas metabolic drug-drug interactions are very unlikely with 15- or 16-membered ring compounds. New macrolides, especially clarithromycin, should be used cautiously in patients receiving concomitant medications that are metabolized by the cytochrome P-450 system and are known to interact with erythromycin. 

Like fluoxetine, erythromycin and other macrolides inhibit the CYP-3A isoenzyme and increase the levels and effects of the triazolobenzodiazepines (Shader and Greenblatt, 1995 Chouinard et ah, 1999). Midazolam should be avoided or the dosage dropped by 50% in patients receiving erythromycin (Olkkola et ah, 1993). Ketoconazole and itraconazole may also interact with triazolam and midazolam, and combinations of these drugs should be avoided (Varhe et ah, 1994 Chouinard et ah, 1999). 

With the important exception of additive effects when combined with other CNS depressants, including alcohol, BZDs interact with very few drugs. Disulfiram (see the section The Alcoholic Patient in Chapter 14) and cimetidine may increase BZD blood levels, and diazepam may increase blood levels of digoxin and phenytoin. Antacids may reduce the clinical effects of clorazepate by hindering its biotransformation to desmethyidiazepam. Coadministration of a BZD and another drug known to induce seizures may possibly increase seizure risk, especially if the BZD is abruptly withdrawn. Furthermore, as noted earlier, important interactions have been reported among nefazodone, erythromycin, troleandomycin, and other macrolide antibiotics, as well as itraconazole. In each case, metabolism is inhibited, and triazolam levels can increase significantly. 

Erythromycin Erythromycin is incompatible with preparations that are highly acidic or alkaline in nature. Pancreatitis disorders are reported with erythromycin overdose. Erythromycin and other macrolides interact with other drugs and are detailed elsewhere.6... 

E Itraconazole. Imatinib is primarily metabolized by the CYP3A4 hepatic enzyme system. Drugs that may inhibit this enzyme (such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, erythromycin, clarithromycin, etc.) may impair clearance of imatinib and result in increased toxicity. Imatinib itself is also a fairly potent inhibitor of the CYP3A4 enzyme and may result in toxicity due to other drugs that are substrates for this enzyme (such as simvastatin, warfarin, benzodiazepines, etc.). The other medications iisted are uniikeiy to affect the function of 0 P3A4 or interact adversely with imatinib. 

Accumulation of the parent drug and resultant QT prolongation may occur following a overdose, a drug interaction that limits metabolism of terfenadine (e.g., concomitant administration with erythromycin or other macrolide antibiotic or with the azole derivatives ketoconazole or itraconazole), or significant hepatic dysfunction that limits metabolism of terfenadine. Patients with preexisting cardiac disease or those with electrolyte abnormalities are also at increased risk for cardiac toxicity. 

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