Salmeterol/Clarithromycin; Telithromycin
This information is generalized and not intended as specific medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional before taking or discontinuing any drug or commencing any course of treatment.
Medical warning:
Serious. These medicines may interact and cause very harmful effects. Contact your healthcare professional (e.g. doctor or pharmacist) for more information.
How the interaction occurs:
Although most of your salmeterol is inhaled into your lungs, some of the medicine is swallowed. Your antibiotic slows down how quickly your liver processes the portion of the medicine that is swallowed.
What might happen:
The amount of salmeterol in your blood may increase and cause changes in your heart's rhythm, which may be life-threatening.
What you should do about this interaction:
Make sure your healthcare professionals (e.g. doctor or pharmacist) know that you are taking these medicines together. Let your doctor know right away if you notice a fast and/or irregular heartbeat or have any dizziness or fainting episodes. Be sure to rinse your mouth after using your inhaler.Your healthcare professionals may already be aware of this interaction and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.
References:
1.Serevent Diskus (salmeterol xinafoate) US prescribing information. SmithKline Beecham Corporation December, 2010.
2.Advair (fluticasone propionate/salmeterol) Canadian prescribing information. GlaxoSmithKline May 20, 2011.
3.Manchee GR, Eddershaw PJ, Ranshaw LE, Herriott D, Park GR, Bayliss MK, Tarbit MH. The aliphatic oxidation of salmeterol to alpha-hydroxysalmeterol in human liver microsomes is catalyzed by CYP3A. Drug Metab Dispos 1996 May;24(5):555-9.
