clarithromycin vs tolterodine

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Side-by-side comparison of clarithromycin and tolterodine. 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

Lurasidone: [See Contraindications ( 4.7 )] Antispasmodics: Tolterodine (patients deficient in CYP2D6 activity) Use With Caution Tolterodine: The primary route of metabolism for tolterodine is via CYP2D6. In this population subset, inhibition of CYP3A results in significantly higher serum concentrations of tolterodine. Tolterodine 1 mg twice daily is recommended in patients deficient in CYP2D6 activity (poor metabolizers) when co-administered with clarithromycin.

Drug Class
clarithromycin Macrolide Antibiotic
tolterodine Anticholinergic (Overactive Bladder)
Type
clarithromycin Prescription
tolterodine Prescription
Summary
clarithromycin

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

tolterodine

Tolterodine extended-release capsules 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.

tolterodine

This medicine treats overactive bladder. It helps reduce leaking urine, the strong need to urinate, and frequent urination. These symptoms are also known as urge urinary incontinence, urgency, and frequency.

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.

tolterodine

Tolterodine belongs to a class of drugs called antimuscarinics. It works by blocking certain nerve signals to the bladder. This helps to relax the bladder muscles and reduce the urge to urinate.

Common Side Effects
clarithromycin
  • Abdominal pain
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Taste changes
tolterodine
  • Dry mouth
  • Headache
  • Constipation
  • Abdominal pain
FAERS Reports
clarithromycin
  • Drug Interaction 2,906
  • Nausea 2,214
  • Dyspnoea 1,959
  • Diarrhoea 1,937
  • Malaise 1,650
tolterodine
  • Fall 408
  • Fatigue 406
  • Dizziness 309
  • Diarrhoea 308
  • Nausea 308
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.

tolterodine

Anaphylaxis and angioedema (severe allergic reactions) have happened with this drug. These reactions can cause difficulty breathing and require emergency treatment. Use caution if you have bladder problems, gastrointestinal issues, or glaucoma. This medicine can cause sleepiness, so be careful driving or operating heavy machinery.

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.

tolterodine

It is not known if tolterodine is safe to use during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is also not known if tolterodine passes into breast milk. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you are taking this medicine.

Also Compare, Nearby Drugs

How to Read This clarithromycin vs tolterodine Comparison

clarithromycin is classified in the Macrolide Antibiotic drug class, while tolterodine sits within the Anticholinergic (Overactive Bladder) 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 tolterodine has 1,739. 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 stops the body from breaking down tolterodine, leading to higher levels of the drug in your system. this is more likely to happen if your body already processes certain medicines slowly.. 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 tolterodine.

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