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clarithromycin vs oxybutynin

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

minor Known Drug Interaction

Other inhibitors of the cytochrome P450 3A4 enzyme system, such as antimycotic agents (e.g., itraconazole and miconazole) or macrolide antibiotics (e.g., erythromycin and clarithromycin), may alter oxybutynin mean pharmacokinetic parameters (i.e., C max and AUC).

Recommendation: Tell your healthcare provider if you notice increased side effects, as they may need to change your dosage.

Drug Class
clarithromycin Macrolide Antibiotic
oxybutynin Anticholinergic / Antispasmodic
Type
clarithromycin Prescription
oxybutynin Prescription
Summary
clarithromycin

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

oxybutynin

Oxybutynin extended-release tablets help control an overactive bladder. It reduces the feeling of needing to go to the bathroom often.

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.

oxybutynin

This medicine treats overactive bladder. It helps with symptoms like needing to urinate frequently, feeling a sudden urge to urinate, and leaking urine. It can also treat overactive bladder in children 6 years and older caused by nerve problems.

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.

oxybutynin

Oxybutynin belongs to a class of drugs called antimuscarinics. It works by relaxing the bladder muscles. This helps to decrease the urge to urinate and prevent leakage.

Common Side Effects
clarithromycin
  • Abdominal pain
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Taste changes
oxybutynin
  • Dry mouth
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Headache
  • Feeling sleepy
FAERS Reports
clarithromycin
  • Drug Interaction 2,906
  • Nausea 2,214
  • Dyspnoea 1,959
  • Diarrhoea 1,937
  • Malaise 1,650
oxybutynin
  • Feeling tired 1,539
  • Falling down 1,466
  • Feeling sick to your stomach 1,211
  • Feeling unsteady or lightheaded 1,143
  • Loose, watery stools 1,078
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.

oxybutynin

Oxybutynin can cause swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and throat (angioedema). If this happens, stop taking the medicine right away and get medical help. This medicine can also cause confusion, hallucinations, and drowsiness. Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how it affects you. Use caution if you have dementia, Parkinson's disease, myasthenia gravis, or decreased gut motility.

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.

oxybutynin

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if this medicine will harm your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding.

Also Compare, Nearby Drugs

How to Read This clarithromycin vs oxybutynin Comparison

clarithromycin is classified in the Macrolide Antibiotic drug class, while oxybutynin sits within the Anticholinergic / Antispasmodic 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 oxybutynin has 6,437. 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 minor interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to clarithromycin blocks the natural enzymes that break down oxybutynin in your system. this leads to more of the drug staying in your body for a longer time.. 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 oxybutynin - 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.