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clarithromycin vs dronedarone

Side-by-side comparison of clarithromycin and dronedarone. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.

major Known Drug Interaction

7.2 Effects of Other Drugs on Dronedarone Ketoconazole and Other Potent CYP3A Inhibitors Concomitant use of ketoconazole as well as other potent CYP3A inhibitors such as itraconazole, voriconazole, ritonavir, clarithromycin, and nefazodone is contraindicated because exposure to dronedarone is significantly increased [see Contraindications (4) , Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] .

Recommendation: You should not take these two drugs together. Consult your doctor for a safer alternative.

Drug Class
clarithromycin Macrolide Antibiotic
dronedarone Class III Antiarrhythmic
Type
clarithromycin Prescription
dronedarone Prescription
Summary
clarithromycin

Clarithromycin is an antibiotic that fights bacterial infections. It belongs to a class of drugs called macrolides.

dronedarone

Multaq is a medicine that helps lower the risk of needing to stay in the hospital for atrial fibrillation (AFib). It is for people who have a history of AFib and are currently in normal heart rhythm.

What It Treats
clarithromycin

Clarithromycin treats mild to moderate infections caused by certain bacteria. It can treat bronchitis, sinus infections, pneumonia, and throat/tonsil infections. It also treats skin infections, ear infections in children, certain mycobacterial infections, and H. pylori infections that cause ulcers.

dronedarone

Multaq is used to lower the risk of hospitalization if you have atrial fibrillation (AFib). AFib is an irregular heartbeat. This medicine is for people who used to have AFib, but are now in a normal heart rhythm.

How It Works
clarithromycin

Clarithromycin works by stopping the growth of bacteria. It prevents bacteria from making proteins they need to survive. This helps your body fight off the infection.

dronedarone

Multaq is an antiarrhythmic drug. It works by changing the electrical signals in the heart. This helps to keep your heart in a normal rhythm and prevent AFib from returning.

Common Side Effects
clarithromycin
  • Abdominal pain
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Taste changes
dronedarone
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • Abdominal pain
  • Vomiting
  • Feeling weak or tired
FAERS Reports
clarithromycin
  • Drug Interaction 2,906
  • Nausea 2,214
  • Dyspnoea 1,959
  • Diarrhoea 1,937
  • Malaise 1,650
dronedarone
  • Irregular heartbeat 1,418
  • Shortness of breath 834
  • Tiredness 614
  • Diarrhea 477
  • Nausea 471
Serious Warnings
clarithromycin

Clarithromycin can cause severe allergic reactions. Stop taking it and get medical help right away if you have signs of a reaction. This medicine can also cause heart rhythm problems (QT prolongation) and liver problems. Tell your doctor if you have heart or liver issues. Clarithromycin may increase the risk of death in patients with coronary artery disease.

dronedarone

Multaq can increase the risk of death, stroke, and heart failure in patients with severe heart failure or permanent AFib. You should not take this medicine if you have severe heart failure that recently required hospitalization or if you have permanent AFib and will not be converted to a normal heart rhythm.

Pregnancy
clarithromycin

Clarithromycin is not recommended during pregnancy unless there are no other options. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if clarithromycin passes into breast milk, so talk to your doctor before breastfeeding.

dronedarone

Multaq can harm an unborn baby. If you are a woman who could become pregnant, use effective birth control while taking Multaq. Do not breastfeed while taking Multaq and for 5 days after your last dose.

Also Compare, Nearby Drugs

How to Read This clarithromycin vs dronedarone Comparison

clarithromycin is classified in the Macrolide Antibiotic drug class, while dronedarone sits within the Class III Antiarrhythmic class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.

Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, clarithromycin has 10,666 submissions while dronedarone has 3,814. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known major interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to clarithromycin blocks the process your body uses to clear dronedarone. this leads to a significant increase in the amount of dronedarone in your blood.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.

A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between clarithromycin and dronedarone - always consult your physician or pharmacist first.

Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.