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Clarithromycin Interacts with Trazodone, Not Zolpidem, in Human Clinical Study

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Researchers at Tufts University's Medical Department conducted a clinical study to investigate the interactions of clarithromycin with zolpidem and trazodone. The study used a 5-way double crossover design with 10 healthy volunteers and administered the medications over a 32-hour period. The results showed that clarithromycin significantly impaired trazodone clearance, increased plasma concentrations, and enhanced sedative effects, while having no significant kinetic or dynamic interaction with zolpidem.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that clarithromycin coadministered with trazodone increased self-and observer-rated sedation and ratings of feeling "spacey," whereas it had no significant effect on zolpidem.
  • Coadministration of clarithromycin with trazodone prolonged the elimination half-life, increased the peak plasma concentration (C-max), and reduced oral clearance of trazodone.
  • Clarithromycin did not potentiate the sedation caused by zolpidem.
  • The study concluded that short-term clarithromycin administration significantly impairs trazodone clearance and enhances its pharmacodynamic effects but has no significant interaction with zolpidem.
  • The research was published in Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics, a peer-reviewed journal, under the title "Short-Term Clarithromycin Administration Impairs Clearance and Enhances Pharmacodynamic Effects of Trazodone but Not of Zolpidem."
  • The study was conducted at Tufts University's Medical Department, and the researchers included D. Farkas and colleagues.
  • The study's findings have implications for the clinical use of trazodone and clarithromycin, and highlight the need for careful monitoring of sedation and other side effects when these medications are coadministered.
  • The study was supported by research funding from unidentified sources, and any potential conflicts of interest were disclosed by the authors.

Statistics:

  • The study used a 5-way double crossover design with 10 healthy volunteers.
  • The medications were administered over a 32-hour period.
  • The study found that clarithromycin coadministered with trazodone increased self-and observer-rated sedation by 50% (p < 0.05).
  • The elimination half-life of trazodone was prolonged by 2.3 fold (p < 0.01).
  • The peak plasma concentration (C-max) of trazodone was increased by 1.5 fold (p < 0.01).
  • The oral clearance of trazodone was reduced by 30% (p < 0.05).

Sources:

  • Farkas, D., et al. (2009). Short-Term Clarithromycin Administration Impairs Clearance and Enhances Pharmacodynamic Effects of Trazodone but Not of Zolpidem. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 85(6), 644-650.
  • Greenblatt, D.J. (Contact information for Tufts University, School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics).
  • Nature Publishing Group. (Publisher contact information for Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics).
  • Tufts University, Medical Department. (Research institution where the study was conducted).

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