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Does Rifabutin Interact with Clarithromycin?

Rifabutin and Clarithromycin have a contraindicated drug interaction according to U.S. FDA drug labeling data. This effect may reduce the efficacy of standard doses of such drugs, which include itraconazole, clarithromycin, and saquinavir. Therefore, carefully monitor for rifabutin associated adverse events in those patients also receiving CYP3A inhibitors, which include fluconazole and clarithromycin. Voriconazole 400 mg twice a day for 7 days (maintenance dose) 300 mg once a day for 7 days Healthy male subjects (12) ↑ AUC by 331%, ↑ C max by 195% ↑ AUC by ~100%, ↑ C max by ~100% g CONTRAINDICATED ANTI-PCP (Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia) Dapsone 50 mg once a day 300 mg once a day HIV infected patients (16) ND ↓ AUC by 27 -40% Sulfamethoxazole-Trimethoprim 800/160 mg 300 mg once a day HIV infected patients (12) ↓ AUC by 15-20% ANTI-MAC (Mycobacterium avium intracellulare complex) Azithromycin 500 mg once a day for 1 day, then 250 mg once a day for 9 days 300 mg once a day Healthy subjects (6) Clarithromycin 500 mg twice a day 300 mg once a day HIV infected patients (12) ↑ AUC by 75% ↓ AUC by 50% Monitor for rifabutin associated adverse events. 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
Rifabutin Class
Rifamycin Antimycobacterial
Clarithromycin Class
Macrolide Antimicrobial
Management
Do not take together
Data Source
U.S. FDA via OpenFDA

What To Tell Your Doctor or Pharmacist

If you are taking Rifabutin 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
💊 Rifabutin(Talicia)+💊 Clarithromycin(Biaxin)

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
Rifamycin Antimycobacterial
Drug B class
Macrolide Antimicrobial
Source
FDA drug label - rifabutin

What this means in plain English

This effect may reduce the efficacy of standard doses of such drugs, which include itraconazole, clarithromycin, and saquinavir. Therefore, carefully monitor for rifabutin associated adverse events in those patients also receiving CYP3A inhibitors, which include fluconazole and clarithromycin. Voriconazole 400 mg twice a day for 7 days (maintenance dose) 300 mg once a day for 7 days Healthy male subjects (12) ↑ AUC by 331%, ↑ C max by 195% ↑ AUC by ~100%, ↑ C max by ~100% g CONTRAINDICATED ANTI-PCP (Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia) Dapsone 50 mg once a day 300 mg once a day HIV infected patients (16) ND ↓ AUC by 27 -40% Sulfamethoxazole-Trimethoprim 800/160 mg 300 mg once a day HIV infected patients (12) ↓ AUC by 15-20% ANTI-MAC (Mycobacterium avium intracellulare complex) Azithromycin 500 mg once a day for 1 day, then 250 mg once a day for 9 days 300 mg once a day Healthy subjects (6) Clarithromycin 500 mg twice a day 300 mg once a day HIV infected patients (12) ↑ AUC by 75% ↓ AUC by 50% Monitor for rifabutin associated adverse events.

About Rifabutin and Clarithromycin

Rifabutin is a Rifamycin Antimycobacterial, while Clarithromycin is a Macrolide Antimicrobial. You may recognize them by the brand names Talicia and Biaxin. Both medications are taken by mouth.

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Data integrity: Every interaction shown is extracted directly from official U.S. FDA drug labeling via openFDA and the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NIH) — no interactions are invented, inferred, or manually edited. Maintained by CheckDrugInteractions.com. See our methodology or report a correction at support@checkdruginteractions.com.

Data sourced from U.S. FDA drug labeling via openFDA and the NIH National Library of Medicine, supplemented with a small number of well-established interactions from curated clinical references. For informational purposes only. Always consult your pharmacist or physician.