Drug interactions
Doxycycline + Primidone
Severity: Moderate
Doxycycline 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
Primidone is metabolized partly to phenobarbital, an enzyme inducer that speeds doxycycline elimination. Lower doxycycline concentrations may cause treatment failure.
What this interaction means in plain words
Doxycycline 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.
Doxycycline belongs to Anti Bacterial; Primidone belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Induction of hepatic enzymes by primidone and its metabolite phenobarbital increases doxycycline metabolism.
What to do
Monitor clinical response and consider a higher dose or an alternative antibiotic for serious infections. Review dosing if primidone is 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 Doxycycline
- Acitretin + Doxycycline Contraindicated
- Aminolevulinic acid + Doxycycline Major
- Cholera vaccine + Doxycycline Major
- Doxycycline + Isotretinoin Major
- Doxycycline + Methoxyflurane Major
- Doxycycline + Microbiota Major
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 Doxycycline with Primidone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Doxycycline 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. Primidone is metabolized partly to phenobarbital, an enzyme inducer that speeds doxycycline elimination. Lower doxycycline concentrations may cause treatment failure.
How serious is the interaction between Doxycycline 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 clinical response and consider a higher dose or an alternative antibiotic for serious infections. Review dosing if primidone is stopped.
What other medicines interact with Doxycycline?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Doxycycline with, for example, Acitretin, Aminolevulinic acid, Cholera vaccine. The full list is on the Doxycycline page.
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