Erythromycin and warfarin interaction
In December 2011 we wrote to the Waitemata Accident and Medical clinics, and the pharmacies that regularly serve them to highlight the interaction between erythromycin and warfarin. There have been recent cases of increased INRs in patients previously stable on warfarin who have received erythromycin out of hours.
Other serious interactions with erythromycin include digoxin, triazolam, zopiclone and some antiepileptics.1.2
Please take care to ask patients about other medicines when prescribing antibiotics if you do not have access to their medication history.
1. Abbott Laboratories (NZ) Ltd. Erythromycin ethylsuccinate 400mg (EES 400) Data Sheet. 01-04-08 http://www.medsafe.govt.nz/profs/datasheet/e/ees400susp.htm(external link) (Accessed 19-12-11)
2. AFT Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Erythromycin stearate 250mg film coated tablets; Erythromycin stearate 500mg film coated tablets (ERA) Data Sheet. 19-06-08.http://www.medsafe.govt.nz/profs/datasheet/e/eracaptab.pdf(external link) (Accessed 19-12-11)
Last modified: