Does Clarithromycin Interact With Valproic Acid?
Other Drugs Metabolized by CYP450 Isoforms Other than CYP3A: Hexobarbital Phenytoin Valproate Use With Caution There have been postmarketing reports of interactions of clarithromycin with drugs not thought to be metabolized by CYP3A, including hexobarbital, phenytoin, and valproate.
Severity: Moderate
Severity basis: drug interactions section (keywords: caution). Combining Clarithromycin (Macrolide antibiotic) and Valproic Acid (Anticonvulsant / mood stabilizer) is classified as a moderate interaction.
What to Do
Use this combination with caution. Your prescriber may monitor you more closely or adjust doses.
How This Interaction Works
Interactions like this one can happen when two medicines have overlapping effects, or when one changes how the other is absorbed, broken down, or cleared from the body. Clarithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic and Valproic Acid is a anticonvulsant / mood stabilizer; together they are documented as a moderate interaction. How much this matters depends on your dose, your other medications, and your overall health.
If You Take Both Medications
If you have been prescribed both Clarithromycin and Valproic Acid, do not start, stop, or change either medication on your own — some medicines are unsafe to stop suddenly. Tell your prescriber and pharmacist that you take both so they can decide whether the combination is right for you, adjust the dose, monitor you more closely, or suggest an alternative.
From the FDA Label
Other Drugs Metabolized by CYP450 Isoforms Other than CYP3A: Hexobarbital Phenytoin Valproate Use With Caution There have been postmarketing reports of interactions of clarithromycin with drugs not thought to be metabolized by CYP3A, including hexobarbital, phenytoin, and valproate.
Source: FDA structured product labeling (set_id 0be243c6-de02-45dd-8210-cab1bbc8dfa7).
Valproic Acid
Anticonvulsant / mood stabilizer
Brands: Depakote, Depakene
View Valproic Acid safety profileCheck these against your full medication list in our free Interaction Checker
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you take Clarithromycin and Valproic Acid together?
Clarithromycin and Valproic Acid have a documented moderate interaction. Use this combination with caution. Your prescriber may monitor you more closely or adjust doses.
How serious is the Clarithromycin and Valproic Acid interaction?
It is classified as a moderate interaction, based on the FDA label's drug interactions section (keywords: caution). A moderate interaction can be clinically meaningful and usually calls for monitoring or a dose adjustment.
What should I do if I'm taking both Clarithromycin and Valproic Acid?
If you have been prescribed both Clarithromycin and Valproic Acid, do not start, stop, or change either medication on your own — some medicines are unsafe to stop suddenly. Tell your prescriber and pharmacist that you take both so they can decide whether the combination is right for you, adjust the dose, monitor you more closely, or suggest an alternative.
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.
Other Clarithromycin Interactions
- Clarithromycin + Colchicine(contraindicated)
- Clarithromycin + Lansoprazole(contraindicated)
- Clarithromycin + Lovastatin(contraindicated)
- Clarithromycin + Simvastatin(contraindicated)
- Clarithromycin + Amiodarone(major)
- Clarithromycin + Atorvastatin(major)
- Clarithromycin + Cyclosporine(major)
- Clarithromycin + Fluconazole(major)
- Clarithromycin + Fluticasone Salmeterol(major)
- Clarithromycin + Pioglitazone(major)
- Clarithromycin + Pravastatin(major)
- Clarithromycin + Quetiapine(major)
- Clarithromycin + Ticagrelor(major)
- Clarithromycin + Trazodone(major)
- Clarithromycin + Alprazolam(moderate)
- Clarithromycin + Amlodipine(moderate)
- Clarithromycin + Aripiprazole(moderate)
- Clarithromycin + Carbamazepine(moderate)
- Clarithromycin + Dabigatran(moderate)
- Clarithromycin + Digoxin(moderate)
- Clarithromycin + Diltiazem(moderate)
- Clarithromycin + Glimepiride(moderate)
- Clarithromycin + Itraconazole(moderate)
- Clarithromycin + Nifedipine(moderate)
- Clarithromycin + Phenytoin(moderate)
- Clarithromycin + Rifampin(moderate)
- Clarithromycin + Rivaroxaban(moderate)
- Clarithromycin + Sildenafil(moderate)
- Clarithromycin + Tacrolimus(moderate)
- Clarithromycin + Tadalafil(moderate)
- Clarithromycin + Verapamil(moderate)
- Clarithromycin + Warfarin(moderate)
- Clarithromycin + Apixaban(minor)
- Clarithromycin + Eszopiclone(minor)
- Clarithromycin + Lorazepam(minor)
- Clarithromycin + Methylprednisolone(minor)
- Clarithromycin + Omeprazole(minor)
- Clarithromycin + Oxybutynin(minor)
- Clarithromycin + Temazepam(minor)
Other Valproic Acid Interactions
- Valproic Acid + Olanzapine(contraindicated)
- Valproic Acid + Topiramate(major)
- Valproic Acid + Amitriptyline(moderate)
- Valproic Acid + Aripiprazole(moderate)
- Valproic Acid + Aspirin(moderate)
- Valproic Acid + Carbamazepine(moderate)
- Valproic Acid + Diazepam(moderate)
- Valproic Acid + Lamotrigine(moderate)
- Valproic Acid + Nortriptyline(moderate)
- Valproic Acid + Warfarin(moderate)
- Valproic Acid + Acetaminophen(minor)
- Valproic Acid + Clonazepam(minor)
- Valproic Acid + Folic Acid(minor)
- Valproic Acid + Gabapentin(minor)
- Valproic Acid + Lithium(minor)
- Valproic Acid + Lorazepam(minor)
- Valproic Acid + Phenytoin(minor)
- Valproic Acid + Pregabalin(minor)
- Valproic Acid + Quetiapine(minor)
- Valproic Acid + Rifampin(minor)
- Valproic Acid + Risperidone(minor)
- Valproic Acid + Sertraline(minor)