Drug interactions
Etoposide + Rifabutin
Severity: Moderate
Etoposide 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 is an inducer of CYP3A4 and may speed up the clearance of etoposide, potentially lowering its exposure and anticancer effect. The induction by rifabutin is weaker than that of rifampicin.
What this interaction means in plain words
Etoposide 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.
Etoposide belongs to Oncology; Rifabutin belongs to Anti Bacterial.
Why it happens
Rifabutin induces CYP3A4, increasing the metabolism of etoposide.
What to do
Monitor for reduced etoposide efficacy and consider an alternative antimycobacterial agent without enzyme-inducing activity if feasible.
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 Etoposide
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Etoposide Contraindicated
- Etoposide + Pentostatin Contraindicated
- Cyclosporin + Etoposide Major
- Elvitegravir / cobicistat / emtricitabine / tenofovir df + Etoposide Major
- Etoposide + Fingolimod Major
- Etoposide + Fosphenytoin 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 Etoposide with Rifabutin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Etoposide 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 is an inducer of CYP3A4 and may speed up the clearance of etoposide, potentially lowering its exposure and anticancer effect. The induction by rifabutin is weaker than that of rifampicin.
How serious is the interaction between Etoposide 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 reduced etoposide efficacy and consider an alternative antimycobacterial agent without enzyme-inducing activity if feasible.
What other medicines interact with Etoposide?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Etoposide with, for example, Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live, Pentostatin, Cyclosporin. The full list is on the Etoposide page.
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