Drug interactions
Montelukast + Rifabutin
Severity: Moderate
Montelukast and Rifabutin: 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
Rifabutin induces CYP3A4 and other enzymes and may lower montelukast levels. It is a weaker inducer than rifampin, so the effect is likely modest.
What this interaction means in plain words
Montelukast and Rifabutin 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.
Montelukast belongs to Respiratory; Rifabutin belongs to Anti Bacterial.
Why it happens
Enzyme induction by rifabutin increases montelukast metabolism.
What to do
Monitor asthma control after starting or stopping rifabutin. Add or adjust other controller therapy if symptoms worsen.
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 Montelukast
- Apalutamide + Montelukast Moderate
- Carbamazepine + Montelukast Moderate
- Deferasirox + Montelukast Moderate
- Enzalutamide + Montelukast Moderate
- Fosphenytoin + Montelukast Moderate
- Gemfibrozil + Montelukast Moderate
Other interactions of Rifabutin
- Cabotegravir + Rifabutin Contraindicated
- Lorlatinib + Rifabutin Contraindicated
- Rifabutin + Voriconazole Contraindicated
- Apixaban + Rifabutin Major
- Axitinib + Rifabutin Major
- Brexpiprazole + Rifabutin Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Montelukast with Rifabutin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Montelukast and Rifabutin 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. Rifabutin induces CYP3A4 and other enzymes and may lower montelukast levels. It is a weaker inducer than rifampin, so the effect is likely modest.
How serious is the interaction between Montelukast and Rifabutin?
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 asthma control after starting or stopping rifabutin. Add or adjust other controller therapy if symptoms worsen.
What other medicines interact with Montelukast?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Montelukast with, for example, Apalutamide, Carbamazepine, Deferasirox. The full list is on the Montelukast page.
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