Atorvastatin and Clarithromycin interaction

These include colchicine toxicity with colchicine; markedly increased transaminases with lomitapide; rhabdomyolysis with simvastatin, lovastatin, and atorvastatin; hypoglycemia and cardiac arrhythmias (e.g., torsades de pointes) with disopyramide; and hypotension and acute kidney injury with calcium channel blockers metabolized by CYP3A4 (e.g., verapamil, amlodipine,…

In situations where the concomitant use of clarithromycin tablets with atorvastatin or pravastatin cannot be avoided, atorvastatin dose should not exceed 20 mg daily and pravastatin dose should not exceed 40 mg daily.

Concomitant administration of clarithromycin tablets with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) that are extensively metabolized by CYP3A4 (lovastatin or simvastatin) is contraindicated, due to the increased risk of myopathy, including rhabdomyolysis [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 ) and Drug Interactions ( 7 )].

HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors (statins): Concomitant use of clarithromycin tablets with lovastatin or simvastatin is contraindicated [see Contraindications ( 4.5 )] as these statins are extensively metabolized by CYP3A4, and concomitant treatment with clarithromycin increases their plasma concentration, which increases the risk of myopathy, including rhabdomyolysis.

Exercise caution when prescribing clarithromycin tablets with atorvastatin or pravastatin.

Intervention: In patients taking clarithromycin or itraconazole, do not exceed LIPITOR 20 mg [see Dosage and Administration (2.5) ] .

LIPITOR dosage modifications are recommended for patients taking certain anti-viral, azole antifungals, or macrolide antibiotic medications [see Dosage and Administration (2.5) ] .

LIPITOR plasma levels can be significantly increased with concomitant administration of inhibitors of CYP3A4 and transporters.

Table 2: Drug Interactions that may Increase the Risk of Myopathy and Rhabdomyolysis with LIPITOR Cyclosporine or Gemfibrozil Clinical Impact: Atorvastatin plasma levels were significantly increased with concomitant administration of LIPITOR and cyclosporine, an inhibitor of CYP3A4 and OATP1B1 [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] .

Anti-Viral Medications Clinical Impact: Atorvastatin plasma levels were significantly increased with concomitant administration of LIPITOR with many anti-viral medications, which are inhibitors of CYP3A4 and/or transporters (e.g., BCRP, OATP1B1/1B3, P-gp, MRP2, and/or OAT2) [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] .