Concurrent clarithromycin and cyclosporin A treatment

J Antimicrob Chemother. 1998 Sep;42(3):393-5. doi: 10.1093/jac/42.3.393.

Abstract

Although macrolides have been associated with significant pharmacokinetic interactions, clarithromycin is considered to have a low interaction capacity. In this study, six transplant recipients treated with cyclosporin A also received clarithromycin. In all patients, the dose of cyclosporin A had to be reduced by a mean of 33% per day depending on the macrolide dose. Normalization of the dosage parameters began on the fourth day after stopping clarithromycin treatment. Co-administration of cyclosporin A and clarithromycin may lead to increases in whole blood cyclosporin levels, and appropriate dose reductions should be considered.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Clarithromycin / pharmacology*
  • Cyclosporine / blood
  • Cyclosporine / pharmacokinetics*
  • Drug Interactions
  • Heart Transplantation
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / blood
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / pharmacokinetics*
  • Liver Transplantation

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Cyclosporine
  • Clarithromycin