What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Clarithromycin and ergotamine
Clarithromycin's FDA label of April 9, 2026 names ergotamine in its contraindications section, and ergotamine's label names clarithromycin too. The clarithromycin label: “Ergot Alkaloids: Ergotamine Dihydroergotamine Contraindicated Ergotamine, Dihydroergotamine:”
Check it at the source: the clarithromycin FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 9, 2026, Solaris Pharma Corporation); the ergotamine FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 25, 2025, Pangea Pharmaceuticals LLC).
What does the clarithromycin label say about ergotamine?
Clarithromycin label, contraindicationsCONTRAINDICATIONS Hypersensitivity to clarithromycin or any macrolide drug (4.1) Cisapride and pimozide (4.2) History of cholestatic jaundice/hepatic dysfunction with use of clarithromycin (4.3) Colchicine in renal or hepatic impairment (4.4) Lomitapide, lovastatin, and simvastatin (4.5) Ergot alkaloids (ergotamine or dihydroergotamine) (4.6) Lurasidone
Clarithromycin label, drug interactionsErgot Alkaloids: Ergotamine Dihydroergotamine Contraindicated Ergotamine, Dihydroergotamine:
Clarithromycin label, warnings and precautionsThe use of clarithromycin with lomitapide, simvastatin, lovastatin, ergotamine, or dihydroergotamine is contraindicated [see Contraindications (4.5, 4.6) and Drug Interactions (7) ].
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
What does the ergotamine label say about clarithromycin?
Ergotamine label, contraindicationsCONTRAINDICATIONS Coadministration of ergotamine with potent CYP 3A4 inhibitors (ritonavir, nelfinavir, indinavir, erythromycin, clarithromycin and troleandomycin) has been associated with acute ergot toxicity (ergotism) characterized by vasospasm and ischemia of the extremities ( See PRECAUTIONS:
Source: FDA drug label (Ergomar Sublingual), Pangea Pharmaceuticals LLC, effective February 25, 2025 (SPL set a9582fdb-7ddd-4f69-aa7a-66247cdb8c92), 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
| Clarithromycin | Ergotamine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections, Acid reflux and ulcers | n/a |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $0.466 per tablet 500 mg tablet | $43.46 per tablet 2 mg tablet sublingual |
| 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