What Causes Low Blood Pressure After Taking Clarithromycin?

Posted on Sat, 5 Sep 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 5 Sep 2015 Answered on

Fri, 25 Sep 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I am taking clarithromycin for sinus infection. Started on Wednesday. Yesterday my bp started running low and one time it was 96/46. I am on bp medicine - amlodipine 5 mg and losartan 25 mg. I did not take my bp meds this morning nor the clarithromycin. Should I stop the clarithromycin or leave off the bp meds for a couple of days.

Answered by Dr. Klarida Papaqako (37 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Clarithmoycin decreases the metabolism of Amlodipin

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for using HCM,

I read your question and understand your concern.

Clarithmoycin has a significant interaction with Amlodipin by decreasing the metabolism of it, which makes Amlodipin stay more in blood, and so it has a much longer effect. This is most probably making your blood pressure lower, because basically means you are taking a much higher dose of amlodipin of what you need.
It is recommended that during the use of Clarithromycin to change the medicines from the same family as Amlodipin with other drugs that have no interaction.

I would say to lower the dose of Almodipin for the time you are using the antibiotic to 2.5mg. Ideal though would be to talk to your doctor and decide if he can change it to another for the time you are using clarithromycin.

Hope this is helpful.

Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T