Drug interactions
Methylprednisolone + Rifapentine
Severity: Moderate
Methylprednisolone and Rifapentine: 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
Rifapentine induces drug-metabolizing enzymes and can substantially lower methylprednisolone exposure. This may lead to loss of anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive effect, for example flares of the underlying disease or inadequate transplant immunosuppression.
What this interaction means in plain words
Methylprednisolone and Rifapentine 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.
Methylprednisolone belongs to Endocrine; Rifapentine belongs to Anti Bacterial.
Why it happens
Rifapentine induces CYP3A4, which increases the hepatic and intestinal metabolism of methylprednisolone.
What to do
Monitor clinical response and increase the methylprednisolone dose if effect is reduced. Re-evaluate the dose when rifapentine is stopped, as the induction wanes over 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 Methylprednisolone
- Bcg vaccine live + Methylprednisolone Contraindicated
- Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live + Methylprednisolone Contraindicated
- Measles mumps rubella and varicella vaccine live + Methylprednisolone Contraindicated
- Measles vaccine + Methylprednisolone Contraindicated
- Methylprednisolone + Mifepristone Contraindicated
- Methylprednisolone + Rubella vaccine Contraindicated
Other interactions of Rifapentine
- Ledipasvir-sofosbuvir + Rifapentine Contraindicated
- Lorlatinib + Rifapentine Contraindicated
- Lurasidone + Rifapentine Contraindicated
- Ranolazine + Rifapentine Contraindicated
- Rifapentine + Sofosbuvir-velpatasvir Contraindicated
- Rifapentine + Sofosbuvir-velpatasvir-voxilaprevir Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Methylprednisolone with Rifapentine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Methylprednisolone and Rifapentine 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. Rifapentine induces drug-metabolizing enzymes and can substantially lower methylprednisolone exposure. This may lead to loss of anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive effect, for example flares of the underlying disease or inadequate transplant immunosuppression.
How serious is the interaction between Methylprednisolone and Rifapentine?
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 clinical response and increase the methylprednisolone dose if effect is reduced. Re-evaluate the dose when rifapentine is stopped, as the induction wanes over weeks.
What other medicines interact with Methylprednisolone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Methylprednisolone with, for example, Bcg vaccine live, Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live, Measles mumps rubella and varicella vaccine live. The full list is on the Methylprednisolone page.
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