Drug interactions
Cabotegravir + Rifampicin
Severity: Contraindicated
Cabotegravir and Rifampicin: 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
Rifampicin substantially decreases cabotegravir concentrations, creating a high risk of virologic failure and integrase inhibitor resistance. Labeling prohibits the combination.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cabotegravir and Rifampicin 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; Rifampicin belongs to Anti Bacterial.
Why it happens
Rifampicin strongly induces UGT1A1 (and UGT1A9), increasing cabotegravir clearance.
What to do
Do not use together. Choose an alternative HIV regimen while rifampicin is required.
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 + Rifabutin Contraindicated
Other interactions of Rifampicin
- Delamanid + Rifampicin Contraindicated
- Doravirine + Rifampicin Contraindicated
- Ensitrelvir + Rifampicin Contraindicated
- Fostemsavir + Rifampicin Contraindicated
- Isavuconazole + Rifampicin Contraindicated
- Isavuconazonium + Rifampicin Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Cabotegravir with Rifampicin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Cabotegravir and Rifampicin 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. Rifampicin substantially decreases cabotegravir concentrations, creating a high risk of virologic failure and integrase inhibitor resistance. Labeling prohibits the combination.
How serious is the interaction between Cabotegravir and Rifampicin?
MediHelp rates it contraindicated, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Do not use together. Choose an alternative HIV regimen while rifampicin is required.
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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