Does Etravirine Interact with Clarithromycin?
Etravirine and Clarithromycin have a unknown drug interaction according to U.S. FDA drug labeling data. Antiinfective : clarithromycin ↑ etravirine ↓ clarithromycin ↑ 14-OH- clarithromycin Clarithromycin exposure was decreased by etravirine tablets; however, concentrations of the active metabolite, 14- hydroxy-clarithromycin, were increased. Because 14-hydroxy-clarithromycin has reduced activity against Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC), overall activity against this pathogen may be altered. Alternatives to clarithromycin, such as azithromycin, should be considered for the treatment of MAC. 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
- Etravirine Class
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus 1 Non-Nucleoside Analog Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor
- 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 Etravirine 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