Drug interactions
Chlordiazepoxide + Rifampin
Severity: Moderate
Chlordiazepoxide and Rifampin: 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
Rifampin strongly induces hepatic metabolism and can lower chlordiazepoxide concentrations, reducing its anxiolytic or withdrawal-suppressing effect. The effect develops over days to weeks and reverses after rifampin is stopped.
What this interaction means in plain words
Chlordiazepoxide and Rifampin 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
Rifampin induces CYP3A4 and other hepatic enzymes, increasing chlordiazepoxide clearance.
What to do
Monitor for reduced clinical effect and increase the benzodiazepine dose if needed. Reduce the dose again when rifampin is discontinued.
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 Chlordiazepoxide
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Chlordiazepoxide with Rifampin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Chlordiazepoxide and Rifampin 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. Rifampin strongly induces hepatic metabolism and can lower chlordiazepoxide concentrations, reducing its anxiolytic or withdrawal-suppressing effect. The effect develops over days to weeks and reverses after rifampin is stopped.
How serious is the interaction between Chlordiazepoxide and Rifampin?
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 reduced clinical effect and increase the benzodiazepine dose if needed. Reduce the dose again when rifampin is discontinued.
What other medicines interact with Chlordiazepoxide?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Chlordiazepoxide with, for example, Alfentanil, Alprazolam, Amobarbital. The full list is on the Chlordiazepoxide page.
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