Taking clarithromycin with lithium: Any interactions?

Question

My doctor issued Clarithromycin, 500 mg for stomach infection.  He was aware I was was on Lithium.  Had been on Lithium for 20 years - no episode for ten years.  

Four hours after taking Clarithromycin, I had experiences that I never had with Lithium, i.e., racing my car, running over a cement block,  nervousness, bumbed into wall,
set glass down and misssed the counter.

THANKS SO MUCH,

YAM

Answer 1

Would like to know if I should take Clarithromycin together with Lithium?

Answer 2

There does not seem to be any known major drug interactions between clarythromycin and lithium, so you should give some thought as to what other changes in your lifestyle may have triggered the problem.

That said, rare and undocumented drug interactions do sometimes happen because of peculiarities of individual physiology and other reasons -- so it is impossible to rule out clarythromycin / lithium interaction entirely. You should discuss this side effect with your doctor.