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clarithromycin vs methylprednisolone

Side-by-side comparison of clarithromycin and methylprednisolone. 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

Other Drugs Metabolized by CYP3A: Alfentanil Bromocriptine Cilostazol Methylprednisolone Vinblastine Phenobarbital St. John’s Wort Use With Caution There have been spontaneous or published reports of CYP3A based interactions of clarithromycin with alfentanil, methylprednisolone, cilostazol, bromocriptine, vinblastine, phenobarbital, and St.

Recommendation: Use this combination with caution and talk to your doctor about watching for increased side effects from the steroid.

Drug Class
clarithromycin Macrolide Antibiotic
methylprednisolone Corticosteroid
Type
clarithromycin Prescription
methylprednisolone Prescription
Summary
clarithromycin

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

methylprednisolone

Methylprednisolone (Medrol) is a corticosteroid medicine. It reduces inflammation and affects the immune system.

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.

methylprednisolone

This medicine can treat many conditions. It can help with allergies, skin problems, and hormone imbalances. It can also help with gut and blood disorders.

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.

methylprednisolone

Methylprednisolone reduces inflammation in the body. It also changes how your immune system works. This can help control symptoms of different diseases.

Common Side Effects
clarithromycin
  • Abdominal pain
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Taste changes
methylprednisolone

No common side effects listed.

FAERS Reports
clarithromycin
  • Drug Interaction 2,906
  • Nausea 2,214
  • Dyspnoea 1,959
  • Diarrhoea 1,937
  • Malaise 1,650
methylprednisolone
  • Feeling very tired 7,792
  • Aching or soreness 7,273
  • Feeling sick to your stomach 7,212
  • Pain in your head 7,058
  • Fever 6,883
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.

methylprednisolone

This medicine is not for injection into the spine. This can cause serious medical problems. Do not take this medicine if you have a fungal infection, unless it's a localized joint condition.

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.

methylprednisolone

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. This medicine may harm your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits.

Also Compare, Nearby Drugs

How to Read This clarithromycin vs methylprednisolone Comparison

clarithromycin is classified in the Macrolide Antibiotic drug class, while methylprednisolone sits within the Corticosteroid 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 methylprednisolone has 36,218. 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 specific protein in your body that usually breaks down methylprednisolone, which can cause the steroid to build up to higher levels.. 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 methylprednisolone - 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.