Drug Interaction Report

Talk to your doctor before using clarithromycin together with mephenytoin. Combining these medications can alter the blood levels and effects of both medications. Specifically, clarithromycin levels may decrease, which may make the medication less effective in treating your infection. At the same time, mephenytoin levels may increase, and you may experience more frequent and/or severe side effects. Your doctor may be able to prescribe alternatives that do not interact, or you may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications. Contact your doctor if you experience nausea, vomiting, twitching eye movements, blurred vision, slurred speech, loss of balance or coordination, tremors, sluggishness, confusion, or hallucinations, as these may be symptoms of excessive effects of mephenytoin. 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.

Mephenytoin levels may decrease when the suspension is given with enteral feedings. This could lead to a loss of seizure control. You could interrupt the feeding for 2 hours before and after the mephenytoin dose. Alternatively, you may give the mephenytoin suspension diluted in water and flush the tube with water after administration. These would make it easier for your body to absorb the medication. However, this still may not entirely avoid the interaction and may not always be feasible. You should have your mephenytoin levels checked upon starting and stopping of enteral feedings. In addition, using mephenytoin together with food may alter the effects of mephenytoin. Contact your doctor if you experience worsening of seizure control or symptoms of toxicity, including twitching eye movements, slurred speech, loss of balance, tremor, muscle stiffness or weakness, nausea, vomiting, feeling light-headed, fainting, and slow or shallow breathing. If your doctor does prescribe these medications together, you may need a dose adjustment or special test to safely use both medications. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Ask your doctor before making any changes to your therapy.

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