What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Clarithromycin and pravastatin
Clarithromycin's FDA label of April 9, 2026 names pravastatin in its drug interactions section, and pravastatin's label names clarithromycin too. The pravastatin label: “The risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis is increased by concomitant use of clarithromycin or erythromycin with pravastatin. Other macrolides (e.g., azithromycin) have the potential to increase pravastatin exposures and …”
Check it at the source: the clarithromycin FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 9, 2026, Solaris Pharma Corporation); the pravastatin FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 31, 2026, Apotex Corp.).
What does the clarithromycin label say about pravastatin?
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 precautionsIn situations where the concomitant use of clarithromycin with atorvastatin or pravastatin cannot be avoided, atorvastatin dose should not exceed 20 mg daily and pravastatin dose should not exceed 40 mg daily.
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 pravastatin label say about clarithromycin?
Pravastatin label, drug interactionsClinical Impact: The risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis is increased by concomitant use of clarithromycin or erythromycin with pravastatin. Other macrolides (e.g., azithromycin) have the potential to increase pravastatin exposures and increase the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis when used concomintantly. Intervention: For patients taking erythromycin or clarithromycin, do not exceed 40 mg pravastatin once daily [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.5 )].
Source: FDA drug label (PRAVASTATIN SODIUM), Apotex Corp., effective July 31, 2026 (SPL set dcf45e4f-b46e-6fbb-b67a-2ff619ab1780), 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 | Pravastatin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections, Acid reflux and ulcers | Heart attack and coronary artery disease, High cholesterol, High triglycerides |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $0.466 per tablet 500 mg tablet | $0.058 per tablet 20 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