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Potential Interaction between Itraconazole and Clarithromycin
Author(s) -
Auclair Barbara,
Berning Shaun E.,
Huitt Gwen A.,
Peloquin Charles A.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
pharmacotherapy: the journal of human pharmacology and drug therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.227
H-Index - 109
eISSN - 1875-9114
pISSN - 0277-0008
DOI - 10.1592/phco.19.18.1439.30907
Subject(s) - clarithromycin , itraconazole , medicine , drug interaction , aspergillosis , pharmacology , antifungal , drug , dermatology , immunology , helicobacter pylori
Three patients negative for human immunodeficiency virus infection were admitted for pulmonary Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) and aspergillosis infections. They were treated with different drug combinations, but all regimens included clarithromycin for MAC and itraconazole for aspergillosis. All patients experienced an increase in clarithromycin concentrations and clarithromycin:14‐OH‐clarithromycin ratio compared with expected range values. They had no clinical side effects. The time course suggested a possible interaction between clarithromycin and itraconazole, presumably through itraconazole's effects on cytochrome P450 3A4 activity. A bidirectional interaction cannot be ruled out. The data suggest that, when necessary, these two drugs can be administered together safely. Further investigation is necessary to determine the extent and clinical consequences of coadministration in humans.