Drug interactions
Haloperidol + Rifampin
Severity: Moderate
Haloperidol 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 markedly induces hepatic metabolism of haloperidol, lowering its plasma concentrations. This can lead to loss of antipsychotic control and psychiatric relapse.
What this interaction means in plain words
Haloperidol 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
Induction of CYP3A4 (and other enzymes and transporters) by rifampin increases haloperidol clearance.
What to do
Monitor the psychiatric response and consider increasing the haloperidol dose during rifampin therapy. Reduce the dose again after rifampin is stopped, as induction wears off over a couple of weeks.
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 Haloperidol
- Dofetilide + Haloperidol Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Haloperidol Contraindicated
- Haloperidol + Ibutilide Contraindicated
- Haloperidol + Levoketoconazole Contraindicated
- Haloperidol + Panobinostat Contraindicated
- Haloperidol + Pimozide Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Haloperidol with Rifampin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Haloperidol 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 markedly induces hepatic metabolism of haloperidol, lowering its plasma concentrations. This can lead to loss of antipsychotic control and psychiatric relapse.
How serious is the interaction between Haloperidol 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 the psychiatric response and consider increasing the haloperidol dose during rifampin therapy. Reduce the dose again after rifampin is stopped, as induction wears off over a couple of weeks.
What other medicines interact with Haloperidol?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Haloperidol with, for example, Dofetilide, Dronedarone, Ibutilide. The full list is on the Haloperidol page.
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