Drug interactions
Azithromycin + Rilpivirine
Severity: Moderate
Azithromycin and Rilpivirine: 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
Rilpivirine at supratherapeutic doses prolongs QT, and azithromycin also carries QT risk. The combination may increase the chance of torsades de pointes, though standard-dose rilpivirine has limited effect.
What this interaction means in plain words
Azithromycin and Rilpivirine 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.
Azithromycin belongs to Anti Bacterial; Rilpivirine belongs to Anti Virals.
Why it happens
Additive QT prolongation.
What to do
Obtain an ECG if other QT risk factors are present and correct electrolyte imbalances. Consider a non-macrolide antibiotic in high-risk patients.
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 Azithromycin
- Azithromycin + Cisapride Contraindicated
- Azithromycin + Domperidone Contraindicated
- Azithromycin + Dronedarone Contraindicated
- Azithromycin + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Azithromycin + Piperaquine Contraindicated
- Azithromycin + Thioridazine Contraindicated
Other interactions of Rilpivirine
- Carbamazepine + Rilpivirine Contraindicated
- Dexamethasone + Rilpivirine Contraindicated
- Dexlansoprazole + Rilpivirine Contraindicated
- Efavirenz + Rilpivirine Contraindicated
- Eslicarbazepine + Rilpivirine Contraindicated
- Esomeprazole + Rilpivirine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Azithromycin with Rilpivirine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Azithromycin and Rilpivirine 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. Rilpivirine at supratherapeutic doses prolongs QT, and azithromycin also carries QT risk. The combination may increase the chance of torsades de pointes, though standard-dose rilpivirine has limited effect.
How serious is the interaction between Azithromycin and Rilpivirine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Obtain an ECG if other QT risk factors are present and correct electrolyte imbalances. Consider a non-macrolide antibiotic in high-risk patients.
What other medicines interact with Azithromycin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Azithromycin with, for example, Cisapride, Domperidone, Dronedarone. The full list is on the Azithromycin page.
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