Drug interactions
Chloramphenicol + Primidone
Severity: Moderate
Chloramphenicol and Primidone: 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
Chloramphenicol may raise primidone and phenobarbital concentrations, increasing sedation and neurotoxicity. Primidone-derived enzyme induction may lower chloramphenicol levels.
What this interaction means in plain words
Chloramphenicol and Primidone 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.
Chloramphenicol belongs to Anti Bacterial; Primidone belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Chloramphenicol inhibits hepatic metabolism of primidone and its phenobarbital metabolite, while the barbiturate induces chloramphenicol clearance.
What to do
Monitor for sedation and ataxia and check anticonvulsant levels. Monitor chloramphenicol concentrations to ensure adequate dosing.
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 Chloramphenicol
Other interactions of Primidone
- Lorlatinib + Primidone Contraindicated
- Lurasidone + Primidone Contraindicated
- Primidone + Ranolazine Contraindicated
- Primidone + Sofosbuvir-velpatasvir-voxilaprevir Contraindicated
- Primidone + Voriconazole Contraindicated
- Abiraterone + Primidone Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Chloramphenicol with Primidone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Chloramphenicol and Primidone 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. Chloramphenicol may raise primidone and phenobarbital concentrations, increasing sedation and neurotoxicity. Primidone-derived enzyme induction may lower chloramphenicol levels.
How serious is the interaction between Chloramphenicol and Primidone?
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 sedation and ataxia and check anticonvulsant levels. Monitor chloramphenicol concentrations to ensure adequate dosing.
What other medicines interact with Chloramphenicol?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Chloramphenicol with, for example, Adagrasib, Avapritinib, Bcg vaccine live. The full list is on the Chloramphenicol page.
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