Drug interactions
Famotidine + Rilpivirine
Severity: Major
Famotidine and Rilpivirine: major 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
Rilpivirine needs an acidic stomach for adequate absorption, and famotidine raises gastric pH. Lower rilpivirine levels may lead to virologic failure and resistance.
What this interaction means in plain words
Famotidine and Rilpivirine can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Famotidine belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract; Rilpivirine belongs to Anti Virals.
Why it happens
Elevated gastric pH reduces the solubility and absorption of rilpivirine.
What to do
Take famotidine at least 12 hours before or at least 4 hours after rilpivirine. Monitor HIV viral load.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Famotidine and Rilpivirine, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 14 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Famotidine
Other interactions of Rilpivirine
- Carbamazepine + Rilpivirine Contraindicated
- Dexamethasone + Rilpivirine Contraindicated
- Dexlansoprazole + Rilpivirine Contraindicated
- Efavirenz + Rilpivirine Contraindicated
- Eslicarbazepine + Rilpivirine Contraindicated
- Esomeprazole + Rilpivirine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Famotidine with Rilpivirine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Famotidine and Rilpivirine can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Rilpivirine needs an acidic stomach for adequate absorption, and famotidine raises gastric pH. Lower rilpivirine levels may lead to virologic failure and resistance.
How serious is the interaction between Famotidine and Rilpivirine?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Take famotidine at least 12 hours before or at least 4 hours after rilpivirine. Monitor HIV viral load.
What other medicines interact with Famotidine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Famotidine with, for example, Atazanavir, Dasatinib, Infigratinib. The full list is on the Famotidine page.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
