Drug interactions
Nifedipine + Primidone
Severity: Moderate
Nifedipine and Primidone: 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
Primidone is metabolized to phenobarbital, an enzyme inducer, and may lower nifedipine concentrations. This can result in reduced antihypertensive or antianginal efficacy.
What this interaction means in plain words
Nifedipine and Primidone 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.
Nifedipine belongs to Cardiovascular; Primidone belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Primidone and its phenobarbital metabolite induce CYP3A4, increasing nifedipine metabolism.
What to do
Monitor blood pressure and angina control and raise the nifedipine dose if needed. Reassess dosing if primidone is stopped.
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 Nifedipine
Other interactions of Primidone
- Lorlatinib + Primidone Contraindicated
- Lurasidone + Primidone Contraindicated
- Primidone + Ranolazine Contraindicated
- Primidone + Sofosbuvir-velpatasvir-voxilaprevir Contraindicated
- Primidone + Voriconazole Contraindicated
- Abiraterone + Primidone Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Nifedipine with Primidone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Nifedipine and Primidone 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. Primidone is metabolized to phenobarbital, an enzyme inducer, and may lower nifedipine concentrations. This can result in reduced antihypertensive or antianginal efficacy.
How serious is the interaction between Nifedipine and Primidone?
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 blood pressure and angina control and raise the nifedipine dose if needed. Reassess dosing if primidone is stopped.
What other medicines interact with Nifedipine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Nifedipine with, for example, Amifostine, Amlodipine-benazepril, Apalutamide. The full list is on the Nifedipine page.
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