Does Clarithromycin Interact with Efavirenz?
Clarithromycin and Efavirenz have a unknown drug interaction according to U.S. FDA drug labeling data. Anti-infective: Clarithromycin ↓ clarithromycin * ↑ 14-OH metabolite * Consider alternatives to macrolide antibiotics because of the risk of QT interval prolongation. 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
- Efavirenz Class
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus 1 Non-Nucleoside Analog Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor
- Management
- Consult your pharmacist
- Data Source
- U.S. FDA via OpenFDA
What To Tell Your Doctor or Pharmacist
If you are taking Clarithromycin and your doctor is considering prescribing Efavirenz (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