Drug interactions
Budesonide + Phenobarbital
Severity: Moderate
Budesonide and Phenobarbital: 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
Phenobarbital induces CYP3A4 and may also increase P-glycoprotein activity, lowering budesonide exposure. This can cause reduced efficacy of budesonide.
What this interaction means in plain words
Budesonide and Phenobarbital 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 CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein increases budesonide metabolism and efflux.
What to do
Monitor clinical response and increase the budesonide dose or switch therapy if control is lost.
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 Budesonide
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Budesonide with Phenobarbital?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Budesonide and Phenobarbital 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. Phenobarbital induces CYP3A4 and may also increase P-glycoprotein activity, lowering budesonide exposure. This can cause reduced efficacy of budesonide.
How serious is the interaction between Budesonide and Phenobarbital?
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 clinical response and increase the budesonide dose or switch therapy if control is lost.
What other medicines interact with Budesonide?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Budesonide with, for example, Aldesleukin, Atazanavir, Bcg vaccine live. The full list is on the Budesonide page.
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