Drug interactions
Morphine + Rifabutin
Severity: Minor
Morphine and Rifabutin: 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
Rifabutin induces drug-metabolizing enzymes and may increase glucuronidation of morphine, lowering its concentrations. This could reduce analgesic efficacy, although rifabutin is a weaker inducer than rifampicin.
What this interaction means in plain words
Morphine and Rifabutin have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Morphine belongs to Musculoskeletal; Rifabutin belongs to Anti Bacterial.
Why it happens
Enzyme induction increases morphine glucuronidation and clearance.
What to do
Monitor pain control and titrate the morphine dose if analgesia is inadequate. Reassess the dose if rifabutin is stopped.
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 Morphine
- Alvimopan + Morphine Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Morphine Contraindicated
- Morphine + Olanzapine / samidorphan Contraindicated
- Morphine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Morphine + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
- Alfentanil + Morphine Major
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 Morphine with Rifabutin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Morphine and Rifabutin have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Rifabutin induces drug-metabolizing enzymes and may increase glucuronidation of morphine, lowering its concentrations. This could reduce analgesic efficacy, although rifabutin is a weaker inducer than rifampicin.
How serious is the interaction between Morphine and Rifabutin?
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 pain control and titrate the morphine dose if analgesia is inadequate. Reassess the dose if rifabutin is stopped.
What other medicines interact with Morphine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Morphine with, for example, Alvimopan, Isocarboxazid, Olanzapine / samidorphan. The full list is on the Morphine page.
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