Does Clarithromycin Interact With Glimepiride?

The following are examples of medications that may increase the glucose-lowering effect of sulfonylureas including glimepiride, increasing the susceptibility to and/or intensity of hypoglycemia: oral anti-diabetic medications, pramlintide acetate, insulin, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, H 2 receptor antagonists, fibrates, propoxyphene, pentoxifylline, somatostatin analogs, anabolic steroids and androgens, cyclophosphamide, phenyramidol, guanethidine, fluconazole, sulfinpyrazo…

Severity: Moderate

Severity basis: drug interactions section (keywords: may increase). Combining Clarithromycin (Macrolide antibiotic) and Glimepiride (Sulfonylurea) is classified as a moderate interaction.

What to Do

Use this combination with caution. Your prescriber may monitor you more closely or adjust doses.

From the FDA Label

The following are examples of medications that may increase the glucose-lowering effect of sulfonylureas including glimepiride, increasing the susceptibility to and/or intensity of hypoglycemia: oral anti-diabetic medications, pramlintide acetate, insulin, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, H 2 receptor antagonists, fibrates, propoxyphene, pentoxifylline, somatostatin analogs, anabolic steroids and androgens, cyclophosphamide, phenyramidol, guanethidine, fluconazole, sulfinpyrazo…

Source: FDA structured product labeling (set_id 0003458f-352a-46fa-9d99-230daa76ae29).

Clarithromycin

Macrolide antibiotic

Brands: Biaxin

View Clarithromycin safety profile

Glimepiride

Sulfonylurea

Brands: Amaryl

View Glimepiride safety profile

Check these against your full medication list in our free Interaction Checker

This information is educational — not medical advice.

This page is provided for general educational purposes and summarizes publicly available data from sources such as the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. It is not a substitute for the judgment of a licensed clinician and should not be used to start, stop, or change any medication. It may be incomplete or out of date, and individual circumstances vary. Always talk with your prescriber or pharmacist about your specific medications and health conditions. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911.

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