What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Atorvastatin and clarithromycin
Atorvastatin's FDA label of April 15, 2024 names clarithromycin in its drug interactions section, and clarithromycin's label names atorvastatin too. The atorvastatin label: “Atorvastatin plasma levels were significantly increased with concomitant administration of LIPITOR with select azole antifungals or macrolide antibiotics, due to inhibition of CYP3A4 and/or transporters.”
Check it at the source: the atorvastatin FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 15, 2024, Viatris Specialty LLC); the clarithromycin FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 9, 2026, Solaris Pharma Corporation).
What does the atorvastatin label say about clarithromycin?
Atorvastatin label, drug interactionsSelect Azole Antifungals or Macrolide Antibiotics Clinical Impact: Atorvastatin plasma levels were significantly increased with concomitant administration of LIPITOR with select azole antifungals or macrolide antibiotics, due to inhibition of CYP3A4 and/or transporters. Intervention: In patients taking clarithromycin or itraconazole, do not exceed LIPITOR 20 mg [see ]. Consider the risk/benefit of concomitant use of other azole antifungals or macrolide antibiotics with LIPITOR. …
Source: FDA drug label (Atorvaliq, NDA213260), CMP Pharma, Inc., effective April 27, 2024 (SPL set 41fca2d8-7f3f-45b9-8974-81b89accc211), via openFDA
Source: FDA drug label (Lipitor), NDA020702 (Upjohn), as published by Viatris Specialty LLC, effective April 15, 2024 (SPL set a60cc18b-0631-4cf0-b021-9f52224ece65), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What does the clarithromycin label say about atorvastatin?
Clarithromycin label, drug interactionsLomitapide Lovastatin Simvastatin; Contraindicated; Lomitapide, Lovastatin, Simvastatin: Clarithromycin may increase the exposure of these drugs by inhibition of CYP3A metabolism, thereby increasing the risk of toxicities from these drugs [See Contraindications and Warnings and Precautions ] Atorvastatin, Pravastatin, Fluvastatin: [See Warnings and Precautions ]
Clarithromycin label, warnings and precautionsThese include colchicine toxicity with colchicine; markedly increased transaminases with lomitapide; rhabdomyolysis with simvastatin, lovastatin, and atorvastatin; hypoglycemia and cardiac arrhythmias (e.g., torsades de pointes ) with disopyramide; and hypotension and acute kidney injury with calcium channel blockers metabolized by CYP3A4 (e.g., verapamil, amlodipine, diltiazem, nifedipine).
Source: FDA drug label (Clarithromycin), Solaris Pharma Corporation, effective April 9, 2026 (SPL set 4d42821d-ce7a-7d64-e063-6294a90a0875), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
These are the labels' own sentences. PlainMeds does not grade interactions; a pharmacist or prescriber can say what they mean for one person's medicines.
Both medicines on the record
| Atorvastatin | Clarithromycin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High cholesterol, Angina, High triglycerides, Heart attack and coronary artery disease | Bacterial infections, Acid reflux and ulcers |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $0.0228 per tablet 10 mg tablet | $0.466 per tablet 500 mg tablet |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
Source: FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026 and the FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Check more medicines together
- up to five at once