Drug interactions
Ethosuximide + Rifampin
Severity: Moderate
Ethosuximide and Rifampin: 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
Rifampin is a potent enzyme inducer and can substantially lower ethosuximide concentrations. This may lead to breakthrough absence seizures.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ethosuximide and Rifampin 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.
Why it happens
Rifampin induces CYP3A4, increasing ethosuximide clearance.
What to do
Monitor seizure control and ethosuximide levels, and increase the dose as needed; reassess the dose when rifampin 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 Ethosuximide
- Benzhydrocodone / acetaminophen + Ethosuximide Major
- Buprenorphine long-acting + Ethosuximide Major
- Buprenorphine subdermal implant + Ethosuximide Major
- Buprenorphine transdermal + Ethosuximide Major
- Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates + Ethosuximide Major
- Ethosuximide + Fentanyl intranasal Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Ethosuximide with Rifampin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Ethosuximide and Rifampin 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. Rifampin is a potent enzyme inducer and can substantially lower ethosuximide concentrations. This may lead to breakthrough absence seizures.
How serious is the interaction between Ethosuximide and Rifampin?
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 seizure control and ethosuximide levels, and increase the dose as needed; reassess the dose when rifampin is stopped.
What other medicines interact with Ethosuximide?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Ethosuximide with, for example, Benzhydrocodone / acetaminophen, Buprenorphine long-acting, Buprenorphine subdermal implant. The full list is on the Ethosuximide page.
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