Drug interactions
Cimetidine + Rilpivirine
Severity: Moderate
Cimetidine and Rilpivirine: 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
Cimetidine raises gastric pH, which reduces absorption of oral rilpivirine. Lower rilpivirine levels may cause virologic failure and resistance.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cimetidine and Rilpivirine 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.
Cimetidine belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract; Rilpivirine belongs to Anti Virals.
Why it happens
Higher gastric pH decreases dissolution and absorption of rilpivirine, which needs an acidic environment.
What to do
Give the H2 antagonist at least 12 hours before or at least 4 hours after rilpivirine. Monitor HIV viral load.
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 Cimetidine
- Cimetidine + Dofetilide Contraindicated
- Cimetidine + Fezolinetant Contraindicated
- Alfentanil + Cimetidine Major
- Atazanavir + Cimetidine Major
- Carmustine + Cimetidine Major
- Cimetidine + Citalopram Major
Other interactions of Rilpivirine
- Carbamazepine + Rilpivirine Contraindicated
- Dexamethasone + Rilpivirine Contraindicated
- Dexlansoprazole + Rilpivirine Contraindicated
- Efavirenz + Rilpivirine Contraindicated
- Eslicarbazepine + Rilpivirine Contraindicated
- Esomeprazole + Rilpivirine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Cimetidine with Rilpivirine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Cimetidine and Rilpivirine 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. Cimetidine raises gastric pH, which reduces absorption of oral rilpivirine. Lower rilpivirine levels may cause virologic failure and resistance.
How serious is the interaction between Cimetidine and Rilpivirine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Give the H2 antagonist at least 12 hours before or at least 4 hours after rilpivirine. Monitor HIV viral load.
What other medicines interact with Cimetidine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Cimetidine with, for example, Dofetilide, Fezolinetant, Alfentanil. The full list is on the Cimetidine page.
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