Drug interactions
Armodafinil + Primidone
Severity: Moderate
Armodafinil and Primidone: 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
Primidone, which is metabolised to phenobarbital, is a CYP3A4 inducer and may lower armodafinil exposure. Its sedative effect also opposes armodafinil's wakefulness-promoting action, so both effectiveness and sedation may be altered.
What this interaction means in plain words
Armodafinil and Primidone 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.
Armodafinil belongs to Central Nervous System; Primidone belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Primidone and phenobarbital induce CYP3A4, increasing armodafinil clearance, plus opposing CNS effects.
What to do
Monitor for reduced wakefulness benefit and consider increasing the armodafinil dose if needed. Also watch for continued sedation and for seizure control changes.
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?
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Other interactions of Armodafinil
Other interactions of Primidone
- Lorlatinib + Primidone Contraindicated
- Lurasidone + Primidone Contraindicated
- Primidone + Ranolazine Contraindicated
- Primidone + Sofosbuvir-velpatasvir-voxilaprevir Contraindicated
- Primidone + Voriconazole Contraindicated
- Abiraterone + Primidone Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Armodafinil with Primidone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Armodafinil and Primidone 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. Primidone, which is metabolised to phenobarbital, is a CYP3A4 inducer and may lower armodafinil exposure. Its sedative effect also opposes armodafinil's wakefulness-promoting action, so both effectiveness and sedation may be altered.
How serious is the interaction between Armodafinil and Primidone?
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 reduced wakefulness benefit and consider increasing the armodafinil dose if needed. Also watch for continued sedation and for seizure control changes.
What other medicines interact with Armodafinil?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Armodafinil with, for example, Avapritinib, Elacestrant, Elbasvir / grazoprevir. The full list is on the Armodafinil page.
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