Drug interactions
Asenapine + Rifampin
Severity: Moderate
Asenapine and Rifampin: 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
Rifampin is a potent enzyme inducer and may increase clearance of asenapine, lowering its concentrations and potentially reducing antipsychotic effect. The change develops over days to weeks after rifampin is started.
What this interaction means in plain words
Asenapine and Rifampin 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.
Why it happens
Induction of hepatic metabolism (including CYP1A2 and UGT pathways) increases asenapine clearance.
What to do
Monitor for loss of psychiatric control and increase asenapine dose if needed. Reassess the dose when rifampin is stopped.
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 Asenapine
- Asenapine + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Asenapine + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Asenapine + Vandetanib Contraindicated
- Adagrasib + Asenapine Major
- Alfentanil + Asenapine Major
- Alfuzosin + Asenapine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Asenapine with Rifampin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Asenapine and Rifampin 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. Rifampin is a potent enzyme inducer and may increase clearance of asenapine, lowering its concentrations and potentially reducing antipsychotic effect. The change develops over days to weeks after rifampin is started.
How serious is the interaction between Asenapine and Rifampin?
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 loss of psychiatric control and increase asenapine dose if needed. Reassess the dose when rifampin is stopped.
What other medicines interact with Asenapine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Asenapine with, for example, Pimozide, Thioridazine, Vandetanib. The full list is on the Asenapine page.
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