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Does Colchicine Interact with Clarithromycin?

Colchicine and Clarithromycin have a contraindicated drug interaction according to U.S. FDA drug labeling data. Fatal drug interactions reported when colchicine is administered with clarithromycin, a dual inhibitor of CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein. Life-threatening or fatal colchicine toxicity can occur. The mechanism involves dual inhibition of cyp3a4 and p-glycoprotein. 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
Contraindicated
Colchicine Class
Alkaloid
Clarithromycin Class
Macrolide Antimicrobial
Management
Do not take together
Data Source
U.S. FDA via OpenFDA

How This Interaction Works

The interaction between Colchicine and Clarithromycin occurs because dual inhibition of cyp3a4 and p-glycoprotein. Clinically, this means fatal drug interactions reported when colchicine is administered with clarithromycin, a dual inhibitor of cyp3a4 and p-glycoprotein. life-threatening or fatal colchicine toxicity can occur. Because of the severity of this interaction, these medications are contraindicated — meaning they should not be taken together under any circumstances. If you are currently taking both, contact your healthcare provider immediately to discuss alternatives.

What To Tell Your Doctor or Pharmacist

If you are taking Colchicine 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
  • Ask about alternative medications that do not interact with your current regimen
  • Ask how frequently you should be monitored while these are co-prescribed
  • Never stop or change either medication without first consulting your healthcare provider
💊 Colchicine(Colchicine)+💊 Clarithromycin

Severity & Interaction Details

⛔
contraindicated
Avoid this combination
FDA labeling lists this pair as contraindicated. The risk outweighs the benefit in nearly all cases.
Severity scale
MinorContra
On record
Yes
Drug A class
Alkaloid
Drug B class
Macrolide Antimicrobial
Source
NLP:colchicine

What this means in plain English

Fatal drug interactions reported when colchicine is administered with clarithromycin, a dual inhibitor of CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein. Life-threatening or fatal colchicine toxicity can occur.

What the FDA label says

"Dual inhibition of CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein"

📖 Source: NLP:colchicine

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Data sourced from U.S. FDA drug labeling via openFDA and the NIH National Library of Medicine. For informational purposes only. Always consult your pharmacist or physician.