Does Atazanavir Sulfate Interact with Clarithromycin?
Atazanavir Sulfate and Clarithromycin have a unknown drug interaction according to U.S. FDA drug labeling data. Macrolide antibiotics: clarithromycin ↑ clarithromycin ↓ 14-OH clarithromycin ↑ atazanavir Increased concentrations of clarithromycin may cause QTc prolongations; therefore, a dose reduction of clarithromycin by 50% should be considered when it is coadministered with atazanavir. In addition, concentrations of the active metabolite 14-OH clarithromycin are significantly reduced; consider alternative therapy for indications other than infections due to Mycobacterium avium complex. Coadministration of atazanavir with ritonavir and clarithromycin has not been studied. Patients taking both medications should consult their healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing the dosage of either drug. This information is based on official FDA drug labeling sourced from OpenFDA and the NIH National Library of Medicine.
- Severity
- Unknown
- Clarithromycin Class
- Macrolide Antimicrobial
- Management
- Consult your pharmacist
- Data Source
- U.S. FDA via OpenFDA
What To Tell Your Doctor or Pharmacist
If you are taking Atazanavir Sulfate and your doctor is considering prescribing Clarithromycin (or vice versa), make sure to:
- Inform your doctor and pharmacist of all current medications, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements
- Ask whether the benefits of combining these medications outweigh the risks for your specific situation
- Ask what symptoms to watch for that would indicate the interaction is causing problems
- Never stop or change either medication without first consulting your healthcare provider