Drug interactions
Deflazacort + Rifampin
Severity: Contraindicated
Deflazacort and Rifampin: contraindicated interaction.
Last updated Sources: US FDA label
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 is a strong CYP3A4 inducer and markedly reduces exposure to deflazacort's active metabolite. Labeling advises against the combination because of likely loss of corticosteroid efficacy.
What this interaction means in plain words
Deflazacort and Rifampin 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.
Why it happens
Rifampin potently induces CYP3A4, greatly increasing clearance of deflazacort's active metabolite.
What to do
Do not coadminister; use an alternative to rifampin or a different corticosteroid if the antimycobacterial therapy is essential.
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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References
Other interactions of Deflazacort
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Deflazacort Contraindicated
- Bcg vaccine live + Deflazacort Contraindicated
- Deflazacort + Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal Contraindicated
- Deflazacort + Measles mumps and rubella vaccine Contraindicated
- Deflazacort + Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live Contraindicated
- Deflazacort + Measles mumps rubella and varicella vaccine live Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Deflazacort with Rifampin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Deflazacort and Rifampin 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. Rifampin is a strong CYP3A4 inducer and markedly reduces exposure to deflazacort's active metabolite. Labeling advises against the combination because of likely loss of corticosteroid efficacy.
How serious is the interaction between Deflazacort and Rifampin?
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 coadminister; use an alternative to rifampin or a different corticosteroid if the antimycobacterial therapy is essential.
What other medicines interact with Deflazacort?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Deflazacort with, for example, Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live, Bcg vaccine live, Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal. The full list is on the Deflazacort page.
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