Drug interactions
Colchicine + Rifabutin
Severity: Moderate
Colchicine and Rifabutin: 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
Rifabutin is a CYP3A4 inducer, although weaker than rifampicin, and may lower colchicine exposure. Efficacy for gout or FMF may be reduced.
What this interaction means in plain words
Colchicine and Rifabutin 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.
Colchicine belongs to Genitourinary; Rifabutin belongs to Anti Bacterial.
Why it happens
Induction of CYP3A4 and possibly P-glycoprotein increases colchicine clearance.
What to do
Monitor colchicine response and adjust the dose if efficacy is lost. Reassess dosing when rifabutin is started or stopped.
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 Colchicine
- Clarithromycin + Colchicine Contraindicated
- Cobicistat + Colchicine Contraindicated
- Colchicine + Cyclosporine Contraindicated
- Colchicine + Ensitrelvir Contraindicated
- Colchicine + Levoketoconazole Contraindicated
- Colchicine + Nirmatrelvir Contraindicated
Other interactions of Rifabutin
- Cabotegravir + Rifabutin Contraindicated
- Lorlatinib + Rifabutin Contraindicated
- Rifabutin + Voriconazole Contraindicated
- Apixaban + Rifabutin Major
- Axitinib + Rifabutin Major
- Brexpiprazole + Rifabutin Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Colchicine with Rifabutin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Colchicine and Rifabutin 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. Rifabutin is a CYP3A4 inducer, although weaker than rifampicin, and may lower colchicine exposure. Efficacy for gout or FMF may be reduced.
How serious is the interaction between Colchicine and Rifabutin?
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 colchicine response and adjust the dose if efficacy is lost. Reassess dosing when rifabutin is started or stopped.
What other medicines interact with Colchicine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Colchicine with, for example, Clarithromycin, Cobicistat, Cyclosporine. The full list is on the Colchicine page.
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