Drug interactions
Methadone + Rufinamide
Severity: Minor
Methadone and Rufinamide: minor 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
Rufinamide is a weak CYP3A4 inducer and may modestly reduce methadone concentrations. This could lead to reduced effect or mild withdrawal symptoms in some patients.
What this interaction means in plain words
Methadone and Rufinamide have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Methadone belongs to Musculoskeletal; Rufinamide belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Weak induction of CYP3A4 increasing methadone clearance.
What to do
Monitor for withdrawal symptoms or reduced analgesia when rufinamide is started and adjust methadone if needed.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there anything I should notice while taking both?
- Do I need to tell my doctor at the next visit?
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Other interactions of Methadone
- Alvimopan + Methadone Contraindicated
- Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates + Methadone Contraindicated
- Droperidol + Methadone Contraindicated
- Ibutilide + Methadone Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Methadone Contraindicated
- Lefamulin + Methadone Contraindicated
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 Methadone with Rufinamide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Methadone and Rufinamide have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Rufinamide is a weak CYP3A4 inducer and may modestly reduce methadone concentrations. This could lead to reduced effect or mild withdrawal symptoms in some patients.
How serious is the interaction between Methadone and Rufinamide?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor for withdrawal symptoms or reduced analgesia when rufinamide is started and adjust methadone if needed.
What other medicines interact with Methadone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Methadone with, for example, Alvimopan, Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates, Droperidol. The full list is on the Methadone page.
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