clarithromycin vs fluticasone/salmeterol

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

moderate Known Drug Interaction

The use of strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ritonavir, atazanavir, clarithromycin, indinavir, itraconazole, nefazodone, nelfinavir, saquinavir, ketoconazole, telithromycin) with ADVAIR DISKUS is not recommended because increased systemic corticosteroid and increased cardiovascular adverse effects may occur.

Drug Class
clarithromycin Macrolide Antibiotic
fluticasone/salmeterol Corticosteroid / Long-Acting Beta-2 Agonist Combination
Type
clarithromycin Prescription
fluticasone/salmeterol Prescription
Summary
clarithromycin

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

fluticasone/salmeterol

Advair Diskus is a medicine that contains a steroid and a long-acting bronchodilator. It helps to control asthma and COPD by reducing inflammation and opening airways in the lungs.

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.

fluticasone/salmeterol

Advair Diskus is used to treat asthma in people 4 years and older. It helps control asthma when other long-term medicines don't work well enough. It is also used to treat COPD, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, helping to improve airflow and prevent flare-ups.

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.

fluticasone/salmeterol

Advair Diskus contains two medicines. Fluticasone is a steroid that reduces swelling in your lungs. Salmeterol is a long-acting bronchodilator that relaxes the muscles around your airways, making it easier to breathe.

Common Side Effects
clarithromycin
  • Abdominal pain
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Taste changes
fluticasone/salmeterol
  • Upper respiratory infection
  • Sore throat
  • Hoarseness
  • Oral thrush (candidiasis)
  • Bronchitis
FAERS Reports
clarithromycin
  • Drug Interaction 2,906
  • Nausea 2,214
  • Dyspnoea 1,959
  • Diarrhoea 1,937
  • Malaise 1,650
fluticasone/salmeterol

No adverse event reports.

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.

fluticasone/salmeterol

Long-acting beta-agonists (LABAs) like salmeterol can increase the risk of asthma-related death. Do not use Advair Diskus to treat sudden asthma symptoms. Do not use other medicines containing a LABA. Watch for signs of pneumonia if you have COPD.

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.

fluticasone/salmeterol

It is not known if Advair Diskus will harm your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is also not known if Advair Diskus passes into breast milk. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of using Advair Diskus while breastfeeding.

Also Compare, Nearby Drugs

How to Read This clarithromycin vs fluticasone/salmeterol Comparison

clarithromycin is classified in the Macrolide Antibiotic drug class, while fluticasone/salmeterol sits within the Corticosteroid / Long-Acting Beta-2 Agonist Combination 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 fluticasone/salmeterol has 0. 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 moderate interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to clarithromycin blocks the enzyme that breaks down the ingredients in your inhaler. this can cause the medicine to build up in your body and increase the risk of side effects.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.

A table cannot represent individual circumstances. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This registry does not provide medical, treatment, substitution, or medication-change directions for clarithromycin or fluticasone/salmeterol.

Registry boundary: This comparison displays source-record fields and does not provide individualized medical direction.