Drug interactions
Estradiol + Rifabutin
Severity: Moderate
Estradiol 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 can lower estradiol concentrations. This may reduce efficacy of hormone therapy, causing return of menopausal symptoms, breakthrough bleeding, or loss of contraceptive effect with estrogen-containing contraceptives. Rifabutin is a weaker inducer than rifampicin.
What this interaction means in plain words
Estradiol 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.
Estradiol belongs to Endocrine; Rifabutin belongs to Anti Bacterial.
Why it happens
Rifabutin induces CYP3A4 and other metabolic enzymes, increasing estradiol clearance.
What to do
Monitor for loss of estrogen effect or breakthrough bleeding and adjust the estradiol dose if needed. For contraception, advise an additional non-hormonal method or an alternative method.
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 Estradiol
- Anastrozole + Estradiol Contraindicated
- Estradiol + Fezolinetant Contraindicated
- Estradiol + Ospemifene Contraindicated
- Antithrombin alfa + Estradiol Major
- Antithrombin iii + Estradiol Major
- Estradiol + Exemestane Major
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 Estradiol with Rifabutin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Estradiol 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 can lower estradiol concentrations. This may reduce efficacy of hormone therapy, causing return of menopausal symptoms, breakthrough bleeding, or loss of contraceptive effect with estrogen-containing contraceptives. Rifabutin is a weaker inducer than rifampicin.
How serious is the interaction between Estradiol 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 for loss of estrogen effect or breakthrough bleeding and adjust the estradiol dose if needed. For contraception, advise an additional non-hormonal method or an alternative method.
What other medicines interact with Estradiol?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Estradiol with, for example, Anastrozole, Fezolinetant, Ospemifene. The full list is on the Estradiol page.
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