Drug interactions
Nimodipine + Primidone
Severity: Moderate
Nimodipine 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 partly converted to phenobarbital and acts as a CYP3A4 inducer, which can reduce nimodipine plasma concentrations. The result may be diminished therapeutic effect of nimodipine.
What this interaction means in plain words
Nimodipine 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.
Nimodipine belongs to Cardiovascular; Primidone belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Primidone and its phenobarbital metabolite induce CYP3A4, accelerating nimodipine clearance.
What to do
Monitor for reduced nimodipine effect and consider an alternative antiseizure drug without enzyme-inducing activity. Reassess when primidone is started or 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 Nimodipine
- Apalutamide + Nimodipine Major
- Carbamazepine + Nimodipine Major
- Ceritinib + Nimodipine Major
- Clarithromycin + Nimodipine Major
- Cobicistat + Nimodipine Major
- Darunavir + Nimodipine Major
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 Nimodipine with Primidone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Nimodipine 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 partly converted to phenobarbital and acts as a CYP3A4 inducer, which can reduce nimodipine plasma concentrations. The result may be diminished therapeutic effect of nimodipine.
How serious is the interaction between Nimodipine 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 for reduced nimodipine effect and consider an alternative antiseizure drug without enzyme-inducing activity. Reassess when primidone is started or stopped.
What other medicines interact with Nimodipine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Nimodipine with, for example, Apalutamide, Carbamazepine, Ceritinib. The full list is on the Nimodipine page.
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