Skip to content

Drug interactions

Aprepitant + Rifabutin

Severity: Moderate

Aprepitant and Rifabutin: moderate interaction.

Last updated

For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.

Summary

Rifabutin induces CYP3A4 and can lower aprepitant levels, so antiemetic protection may be reduced. The effect is smaller than with rifampin.

What this interaction means in plain words

Aprepitant and Rifabutin can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.

Aprepitant belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract; Rifabutin belongs to Anti Bacterial.

Evidence level: Moderate

Why it happens

Induction of CYP3A4 by rifabutin increases aprepitant metabolism.

What to do

Monitor for breakthrough nausea and vomiting and add other antiemetics as needed.

What to ask your pharmacist

  • Should I take them at different times of day?
  • Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
  • Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?

Bring a full list of your medicines, including over-the-counter products, supplements and herbal remedies, to every pharmacy visit.

Pro+ members

Unlock the full page

Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Aprepitant and Rifabutin, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.

  • Full clinical management advice
  • Additional notes
  • Evidence detail
  • Interaction checker for a whole prescription

Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.

Frequently asked questions

Can I take Aprepitant with Rifabutin?

MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Aprepitant and Rifabutin can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Rifabutin induces CYP3A4 and can lower aprepitant levels, so antiemetic protection may be reduced. The effect is smaller than with rifampin.

How serious is the interaction between Aprepitant and Rifabutin?

MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor for breakthrough nausea and vomiting and add other antiemetics as needed.

What other medicines interact with Aprepitant?

MediHelp also lists interactions of Aprepitant with, for example, Lomitapide, Pimozide, Avapritinib. The full list is on the Aprepitant page.

Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app

Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.

Browse A–Z · Drug interactions

Get the app Sign in