Drug interactions
Cabotegravir + Rifabutin
Severity: Contraindicated
Cabotegravir and Rifabutin: contraindicated 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 lowers cabotegravir exposure, a modest effect with oral cabotegravir but significant enough to contraindicate use with the long-acting injectable regimen. Low levels may allow resistance to develop.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cabotegravir and Rifabutin are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two.
Cabotegravir belongs to Anti Virals; Rifabutin belongs to Anti Bacterial.
Why it happens
Rifabutin induces UGT1A1, increasing cabotegravir clearance, though less strongly than rifampicin.
What to do
Avoid rifabutin with long-acting cabotegravir/rilpivirine. Use an alternative TB or HIV regimen, or follow the oral-formulation labeling if applicable.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there an alternative to one of these two medicines for me?
- If both are essential, who is monitoring me and how often?
- Which symptoms mean I should stop and seek help straight away?
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Other interactions of Cabotegravir
- Apalutamide + Cabotegravir Contraindicated
- Cabotegravir + Carbamazepine Contraindicated
- Cabotegravir + Oxcarbazepine Contraindicated
- Cabotegravir + Phenobarbitone Contraindicated
- Cabotegravir + Phenytoin Contraindicated
- Cabotegravir + Rifampicin Contraindicated
Other interactions of Rifabutin
- Lorlatinib + Rifabutin Contraindicated
- Rifabutin + Voriconazole Contraindicated
- Apixaban + Rifabutin Major
- Axitinib + Rifabutin Major
- Brexpiprazole + Rifabutin Major
- Clarithromycin + Rifabutin Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Cabotegravir with Rifabutin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Cabotegravir and Rifabutin are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two. Rifabutin lowers cabotegravir exposure, a modest effect with oral cabotegravir but significant enough to contraindicate use with the long-acting injectable regimen. Low levels may allow resistance to develop.
How serious is the interaction between Cabotegravir and Rifabutin?
MediHelp rates it contraindicated, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid rifabutin with long-acting cabotegravir/rilpivirine. Use an alternative TB or HIV regimen, or follow the oral-formulation labeling if applicable.
What other medicines interact with Cabotegravir?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Cabotegravir with, for example, Apalutamide, Carbamazepine, Oxcarbazepine. The full list is on the Cabotegravir page.
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