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Can you take Clarithromycin with Guanfacine?

1 drug interaction and 19 additional warnings found for the following 2 drugs:

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Drug interactions

Major drug interactions

Major:

clarithromycin guanFACINE

Applies to: clarithromycin and guanfacine

Clarithromycin may significantly increase the blood levels and effects of guanFACINE. This may cause blood pressure to fall excessively, especially when you rise from a sitting or lying position.

The risk of other side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, headache, palpitations, and heart rate changes may also increase.

Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. Your doctor may be able to prescribe alternatives that do not interact, or you may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring to safely use both medications.

Avoid driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medication affects you, and use caution when getting up from a sitting or lying position.

It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Food/lifestyle interactions

Major food/lifestyle interactions

Major:

guanFACINE Food/Lifestyle

Applies to: guanfacine

Avoid consuming grapefruit or grapefruit juice during treatment with guanFACINE, as it may increase blood levels and effects of the medication. This may cause blood pressure to fall excessively, especially when you rise from a sitting or lying position. The risk of other side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, headache, palpitations, and heart rate changes may also increase.

Additionally, you should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with guanFACINE. Combining the medication with alcohol can intensify sedative and blood pressure lowering effects, which may increase the risk of falls and injury.

Avoid driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medication affects you, and use caution when getting up from a sitting or lying position.

If you are using a long-acting or extended-release formulation of the medication, make sure you do not take it with a high-fat meal. Doing so results in increased absorption and elevated blood levels of the medication.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns.

Minor food/lifestyle interactions

Minor:

clarithromycin Food/Lifestyle

Applies to: clarithromycin

Information for this minor interaction is available on the professional version.

Disease interactions

17 potential interactions Applies to: 15 conditions, including Depression, Arrhythmia, Hypokalemia, Hypotension, and Peripheral Arterial Disease.

Arrhythmia

Moderate:

clarithromycin

Clarithromycin has a moderate potential interaction with Arrhythmia.

Macrolides have been associated with prolongation of the QT interval and infrequent cases of arrhythmia. Clarithromycin and erythromycin should be avoided in: patients with known prolongation of the QT interval, ventricular cardiac arrhythmia, including torsades de pointes; patients with proarrhythmic conditions such as uncorrected hypokalemia or hypomagnesemia, clinically significant bradycardia, or receiving other drugs that prolong the QT interval.

Cerebrovascular Insufficiency

Moderate:

guanfacine

guanFACINE has a moderate potential interaction with Cerebrovascular Insufficiency.

Central alpha-2 adrenoreceptor agonists reduce sympathetic outflow from the central nervous system, resulting in decreases in heart rate, peripheral and renovascular resistance, and blood pressure. Therapy with these agents should be administered cautiously in patients with hypotension or conditions that may be exacerbated by decreased blood pressure and perfusion, such as coronary insufficiency, peripheral vascular disease (e.g., Raynaud's syndrome), cerebrovascular disease, or recent myocardial infarction.

Depression

Moderate:

guanfacine

guanFACINE has a moderate potential interaction with Depression.

Central alpha-2 adrenoreceptor agonists may occasionally cause mental depression and should be used cautiously in patients with a history of depression.

Heart Block

Moderate:

guanfacine

guanFACINE has a moderate potential interaction with Heart Block.

Central alpha-2 adrenoreceptor agonists reduce sympathetic outflow from the central nervous system. Heart rate is decreased, which may lead to or exacerbate sinus bradycardia and atrioventricular block. Therapy with central alpha-2 adrenoreceptor agonists should be administered cautiously in patients with conduction disturbances such as sinus node dysfunction or AV nodal disease.

Hyperkinetic Syndrome of Childhood

Moderate:

guanfacine

guanFACINE has a moderate potential interaction with Hyperkinetic Syndrome of Childhood.

The safety and effectiveness of guanfacine in children under 12 years of age has not been demonstrated and its use in this age group is not recommended. However, there have been some spontaneous postmarketing reports of mania and aggressive behavioral changes in pediatric patients with attention- deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) that received this drug. All patients had medical or family risks of bipolar disorder, and all of them recovered after treatment discontinuation. Hallucinations have also been reported in pediatric patients receiving guanfacine for the treatment of ADHD.

Hypokalemia

Moderate:

clarithromycin

Clarithromycin has a moderate potential interaction with Hypokalemia.

Macrolides have been associated with prolongation of the QT interval and infrequent cases of arrhythmia. Clarithromycin and erythromycin should be avoided in: patients with known prolongation of the QT interval, ventricular cardiac arrhythmia, including torsades de pointes; patients with proarrhythmic conditions such as uncorrected hypokalemia or hypomagnesemia, clinically significant bradycardia, or receiving other drugs that prolong the QT interval.

Hypotension

Moderate:

guanfacine

guanFACINE has a moderate potential interaction with Hypotension.

Central alpha-2 adrenoreceptor agonists reduce sympathetic outflow from the central nervous system, resulting in decreases in heart rate, peripheral and renovascular resistance, and blood pressure. Therapy with these agents should be administered cautiously in patients with hypotension or conditions that may be exacerbated by decreased blood pressure and perfusion, such as coronary insufficiency, peripheral vascular disease (e.g., Raynaud's syndrome), cerebrovascular disease, or recent myocardial infarction.

Ischemic Heart Disease

Moderate:

guanfacine

guanFACINE has a moderate potential interaction with Ischemic Heart Disease.

Central alpha-2 adrenoreceptor agonists reduce sympathetic outflow from the central nervous system, resulting in decreases in heart rate, peripheral and renovascular resistance, and blood pressure. Therapy with these agents should be administered cautiously in patients with hypotension or conditions that may be exacerbated by decreased blood pressure and perfusion, such as coronary insufficiency, peripheral vascular disease (e.g., Raynaud's syndrome), cerebrovascular disease, or recent myocardial infarction.

Liver Disease

Moderate:

clarithromycin

Clarithromycin has a moderate potential interaction with Liver Disease.

Hepatic dysfunction, including increased liver enzymes, and hepatocellular and/or cholestatic hepatitis, with or without jaundice, has been reported in patients receiving clarithromycin. The hepatic dysfunction may be severe but in most cases is reversible. Fatal outcomes have also been reported and in general have been associated with serious underlying diseases and/or concomitant medications. Caution and monitoring is advised if using this drug in patients with hepatic impairment. Treatment must be discontinued immediately if signs and symptoms of hepatitis occur (e.g., anorexia, jaundice, dark urine, pruritus, or tender abdomen). The use of clarithromycin and combination medications containing this antibiotic are contraindicated in patients with a history of cholestatic jaundice or hepatic impairment associated with the prior use of clarithromycin.

Moderate:

guanfacine

guanFACINE has a moderate potential interaction with Liver Disease.

Normally, approximately 50% of a guanfacine dose is eliminated unchanged by the kidney and the rest metabolized by the liver. However, neither the parent drug nor its metabolites accumulate significantly during chronic dosing in patients with severe renal impairment due to increased hepatic metabolism of the drug in these patients. Thus, initial dosage adjustments are generally not necessary in renal impairment. Dosage titration, however, should be made cautiously if hepatic function is also compromised. The pharmacokinetics of guanfacine has not been studied in patients with liver disease. The manufacturer recommends caution when the drug is used in such patients.

Magnesium Imbalance

Moderate:

clarithromycin

Clarithromycin has a moderate potential interaction with Magnesium Imbalance.

Macrolides have been associated with prolongation of the QT interval and infrequent cases of arrhythmia. Clarithromycin and erythromycin should be avoided in: patients with known prolongation of the QT interval, ventricular cardiac arrhythmia, including torsades de pointes; patients with proarrhythmic conditions such as uncorrected hypokalemia or hypomagnesemia, clinically significant bradycardia, or receiving other drugs that prolong the QT interval.

Myasthenia Gravis

Moderate:

clarithromycin

Clarithromycin has a moderate potential interaction with Myasthenia Gravis.

The use of macrolide antibiotics has been reported to exacerbate symptoms of myasthenia gravis and trigger new onset of symptoms of myasthenic syndrome. Therapy with these agents should be administered cautiously in patients with a history of myasthenia gravis.

Noninfectious Colitis

Major:

clarithromycin

Clarithromycin has a major potential interaction with Noninfectious Colitis.

Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD), formerly pseudomembranous colitis, has been reported with almost all antibacterial drugs and may range from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis. The most common culprits include clindamycin and lincomycin. Antibacterial therapy alters the normal flora of the colon, leading to overgrowth of C difficile, whose toxins A and B contribute to CDAD development. Morbidity and mortality are increased with hypertoxin-producing strains of C difficile; these infections can be resistant to antimicrobial therapy and may require colectomy. CDAD must be considered in all patients who present with diarrhea after antibacterial use. Since CDAD has been reported to occur more than 2 months after antibacterial use, careful medical history is necessary. Therapy with broad-spectrum antibacterials and other agents with significant antibacterial activity should be administered cautiously in patients with history of gastrointestinal disease, particularly colitis; pseudomembranous colitis (generally characterized by severe, persistent diarrhea and severe abdominal cramps, and sometimes associated with the passage of blood and mucus), if it occurs, may be more severe in these patients and may be associated with flares in underlying disease activity. Antibacterial drugs not directed against C difficile may need to be stopped if CDAD is suspected or confirmed. Appropriate fluid and electrolyte management, protein supplementation, antibacterial treatment of C difficile, and surgical evaluation should be started as clinically indicated.

Peripheral Arterial Disease

Moderate:

guanfacine

guanFACINE has a moderate potential interaction with Peripheral Arterial Disease.

Central alpha-2 adrenoreceptor agonists reduce sympathetic outflow from the central nervous system, resulting in decreases in heart rate, peripheral and renovascular resistance, and blood pressure. Therapy with these agents should be administered cautiously in patients with hypotension or conditions that may be exacerbated by decreased blood pressure and perfusion, such as coronary insufficiency, peripheral vascular disease (e.g., Raynaud's syndrome), cerebrovascular disease, or recent myocardial infarction.

Renal Dysfunction

Moderate:

clarithromycin

Clarithromycin has a moderate potential interaction with Renal Dysfunction.

Clarithromycin is primarily eliminated by the kidney and liver. A decreased dosage or prolonged dosing intervals are recommended in patients with severe renal impairment (CrCl < 30 mL/min). Dosage adjustments are usually not necessary in patients with mild to moderate renal impairment, although drug accumulation could occur in the presence of concomitant liver disease. Monitoring is advised.

Moderate:

guanfacine

guanFACINE has a moderate potential interaction with Renal Dysfunction.

Normally, approximately 50% of a guanfacine dose is eliminated unchanged by the kidney and the rest metabolized by the liver. However, neither the parent drug nor its metabolites accumulate significantly during chronic dosing in patients with severe renal impairment due to increased hepatic metabolism of the drug in these patients. Thus, initial dosage adjustments are generally not necessary in renal impairment. Dosage titration, however, should be made cautiously if hepatic function is also compromised. The pharmacokinetics of guanfacine has not been studied in patients with liver disease. The manufacturer recommends caution when the drug is used in such patients.

Sinus Node Dysfunction

Moderate:

guanfacine

guanFACINE has a moderate potential interaction with Sinus Node Dysfunction.

Central alpha-2 adrenoreceptor agonists reduce sympathetic outflow from the central nervous system. Heart rate is decreased, which may lead to or exacerbate sinus bradycardia and atrioventricular block. Therapy with central alpha-2 adrenoreceptor agonists should be administered cautiously in patients with conduction disturbances such as sinus node dysfunction or AV nodal disease.

More resources

clarithromycin

A total of 767 drugs are known to interact with clarithromycin.

guanfacine

A total of 535 drugs are known to interact with guanfacine.

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

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.