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Drug Interactions between ashwaganda and Biaxin

This report displays the potential drug interactions for the following 2 drugs:

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Interactions between your drugs

Moderate

clarithromycin ashwagandha

Applies to: Biaxin (clarithromycin) and ashwaganda

MONITOR: Concomitant use of ashwagandha with other agents that are known to induce hepatotoxicity may theoretically increase the risk of hepatotoxicity. There are case reports of adverse effects on liver functions associated with ashwagandha use. In a case report, a 20-year-old man in Japan developed liver dysfunction and hyperbilirubinemia after using ashwagandha in combination with multiple antianxiety drugs. In additional case reports, three men and two women, age range 21 to 62 years who reportedly took supplements containing 450 to 1,350 mg ashwagandha daily over the course of one week to four months when signs of liver injury, such as jaundice, pruritus, nausea, lethargy, abdominal discomfort, and hyperbilirubinemia, appeared.

MANAGEMENT: Liver function tests should be monitored, and patients should be advised to report any symptoms such as abdominal pain, jaundice, dark urine, light stools, fever, or unusual fatigue.

References (6)
  1. (2024) "Product Information. Ashwagandha (ashwagandha)." Now Foods, 1
  2. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements Ashwagandha https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/ashwagandha
  3. inagaki k, mori n, honda y, takaki k, tsuji k (2017) "A case of drug-induced liver injury with prolonged severe intrahepatic cholestasis induced by Ashwagandha" Kanzo, 58, p. 448-454
  4. Bjornsson HK, Bjornsson ES, Avula B, Khan IA, Jonasson JG (2020) "Ashwagandha-induced liver injury: A case series from Iceland and the US Drug-Induced Liver Injury Network" Liver Int, 40, p. 825-829
  5. Lubarska M, Halasinski P, Hryhorowicz S, et al. (2023) "Liver Dangers of Herbal Products" Int J Environ Res Public Health, 20, p. 3921
  6. Ireland PJ, Hardy T, burt ad, Donnelly MC (2021) "Drug-induced hepatocellular injury due to herbal supplement ashwagandha" J R Coll Surg Edinb, 51, p. 363-365

Drug and food interactions

Minor

clarithromycin food

Applies to: Biaxin (clarithromycin)

Grapefruit juice may delay the gastrointestinal absorption of clarithromycin but does not appear to affect the overall extent of absorption or inhibit the metabolism of clarithromycin. The mechanism of interaction is unknown but may be related to competition for intestinal CYP450 3A4 and/or absorptive sites. In an open-label, randomized, crossover study consisting of 12 healthy subjects, coadministration with grapefruit juice increased the time to reach peak plasma concentration (Tmax) of both clarithromycin and 14-hydroxyclarithromycin (the active metabolite) by 80% and 104%, respectively, compared to water. Other pharmacokinetic parameters were not significantly altered. This interaction is unlikely to be of clinical significance.

References (1)
  1. Cheng KL, Nafziger AN, Peloquin CA, Amsden GW (1998) "Effect of grapefruit juice on clarithromycin pharmacokinetics." Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 42, p. 927-9

Therapeutic duplication warnings

No warnings were found for your selected drugs.

Therapeutic duplication warnings are only returned when drugs within the same group exceed the recommended therapeutic duplication maximum.

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Drug Interaction Classification

These classifications are only a guideline. The relevance of a particular drug interaction to a specific individual is difficult to determine. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medication.
Major Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit.
Moderate Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances.
Minor Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan.
Unknown No interaction information available.

Further information

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