Drug interactions
Memantine-donepezil + Rifampin
Severity: Moderate
Memantine-donepezil 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 induces drug-metabolizing enzymes and can lower donepezil exposure. This may reduce the cognitive benefit of donepezil.
What this interaction means in plain words
Memantine-donepezil 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
Rifampin induces CYP3A4 (and CYP2D6 to a lesser extent), increasing donepezil metabolism.
What to do
Monitor for loss of donepezil efficacy during and after rifampin therapy and increase the dose if clinically needed.
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 Memantine-donepezil
- Dronedarone + Memantine-donepezil Contraindicated
- Memantine-donepezil + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Amantadine + Memantine-donepezil Major
- Amiodarone + Memantine-donepezil Major
- Amisulpride + Memantine-donepezil Major
- Amitriptyline + Memantine-donepezil Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Memantine-donepezil with Rifampin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Memantine-donepezil 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 induces drug-metabolizing enzymes and can lower donepezil exposure. This may reduce the cognitive benefit of donepezil.
How serious is the interaction between Memantine-donepezil 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 for loss of donepezil efficacy during and after rifampin therapy and increase the dose if clinically needed.
What other medicines interact with Memantine-donepezil?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Memantine-donepezil with, for example, Dronedarone, Thioridazine, Amantadine. The full list is on the Memantine-donepezil page.
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