Drug interactions
Ketoconazole + Suvorexant
Severity: Major
Ketoconazole and Suvorexant: 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
Ketoconazole substantially raises suvorexant exposure, causing excessive somnolence, next-day impairment and impaired driving ability.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ketoconazole and Suvorexant 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.
Ketoconazole belongs to Anti Fungals; Suvorexant belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Strong inhibition of CYP3A4-mediated metabolism of suvorexant.
What to do
Avoid the combination and choose another hypnotic, or antifungal, that does not interact; counsel about daytime drowsiness if used.
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 Ketoconazole and Suvorexant, 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 Ketoconazole
- Alfuzosin + Ketoconazole Contraindicated
- Alprazolam + Ketoconazole Contraindicated
- Avanafil + Ketoconazole Contraindicated
- Conivaptan + Ketoconazole Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine intranasal + Ketoconazole Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine + Ketoconazole Contraindicated
Other interactions of Suvorexant
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Ketoconazole with Suvorexant?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Ketoconazole and Suvorexant 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. Ketoconazole substantially raises suvorexant exposure, causing excessive somnolence, next-day impairment and impaired driving ability.
How serious is the interaction between Ketoconazole and Suvorexant?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid the combination and choose another hypnotic, or antifungal, that does not interact; counsel about daytime drowsiness if used.
What other medicines interact with Ketoconazole?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Ketoconazole with, for example, Alfuzosin, Alprazolam, Avanafil. The full list is on the Ketoconazole 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.
