Drug interactions
Esketamine + Rufinamide
Severity: Moderate
Esketamine and Rufinamide: 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
Rufinamide commonly causes somnolence and dizziness, which can add to esketamine's sedative and dissociative effects. The result may be greater drowsiness and impaired coordination after dosing.
What this interaction means in plain words
Esketamine and Rufinamide 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.
Esketamine belongs to Central Nervous System; Rufinamide belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depressant adverse effects; no established pharmacokinetic interaction.
What to do
Observe for sedation and dizziness during the post-dose period and counsel the patient about driving and hazardous activity.
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 Esketamine
Other interactions of Rufinamide
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Esketamine with Rufinamide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Esketamine and Rufinamide 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. Rufinamide commonly causes somnolence and dizziness, which can add to esketamine's sedative and dissociative effects. The result may be greater drowsiness and impaired coordination after dosing.
How serious is the interaction between Esketamine and Rufinamide?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Observe for sedation and dizziness during the post-dose period and counsel the patient about driving and hazardous activity.
What other medicines interact with Esketamine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Esketamine with, for example, Alfentanil, Amobarbital, Belladonna and opium. The full list is on the Esketamine page.
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