Drug interactions
Lacosamide + Rufinamide
Severity: Moderate
Lacosamide and Rufinamide: 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
Both drugs affect cardiac conduction: lacosamide prolongs PR interval and rufinamide shortens QT. Combined use may add to dizziness, somnolence and ataxia, and conduction effects are possible in susceptible patients.
What this interaction means in plain words
Lacosamide and Rufinamide 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.
Lacosamide belongs to Central Nervous System; Rufinamide belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive sodium-channel effects on cardiac conduction and additive CNS adverse effects.
What to do
Perform an ECG at baseline and after lacosamide titration in patients with cardiac disease. Monitor for dizziness, ataxia and somnolence and adjust doses accordingly.
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 Lacosamide
- Lacosamide + Zuranolone Major
- Atazanavir + Lacosamide Moderate
- Carbamazepine + Lacosamide Moderate
- Cenobamate + Lacosamide Moderate
- Clarithromycin + Lacosamide Moderate
- Daridorexant + Lacosamide Moderate
Other interactions of Rufinamide
- Carbamazepine + Rufinamide Moderate
- Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol + Rufinamide Moderate
- Dronedarone + Rufinamide Moderate
- Esketamine + Rufinamide Moderate
- Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone + Rufinamide Moderate
- Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel + Rufinamide Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Lacosamide with Rufinamide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Lacosamide and Rufinamide 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. Both drugs affect cardiac conduction: lacosamide prolongs PR interval and rufinamide shortens QT. Combined use may add to dizziness, somnolence and ataxia, and conduction effects are possible in susceptible patients.
How serious is the interaction between Lacosamide and Rufinamide?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Perform an ECG at baseline and after lacosamide titration in patients with cardiac disease. Monitor for dizziness, ataxia and somnolence and adjust doses accordingly.
What other medicines interact with Lacosamide?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Lacosamide with, for example, Zuranolone, Atazanavir, Carbamazepine. The full list is on the Lacosamide page.
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