Drug interactions
Nimodipine + Rifapentine
Severity: Major
Nimodipine and Rifapentine: major 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 CYP3A4 and is expected to lower nimodipine levels markedly, since nimodipine has high first-pass metabolism. Therapeutic effect may be lost.
What this interaction means in plain words
Nimodipine and Rifapentine can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Nimodipine belongs to Cardiovascular; Rifapentine belongs to Anti Bacterial.
Why it happens
Rifapentine-mediated induction of hepatic and intestinal CYP3A4 increases nimodipine clearance.
What to do
Avoid the combination if possible, or monitor clinical response and blood pressure closely and adjust the nimodipine dose. Effects of induction persist for some time after rifapentine is stopped.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Nimodipine and Rifapentine, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 14 days on the web. No card needed.
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 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 Nimodipine with Rifapentine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Nimodipine and Rifapentine can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Rifapentine induces CYP3A4 and is expected to lower nimodipine levels markedly, since nimodipine has high first-pass metabolism. Therapeutic effect may be lost.
How serious is the interaction between Nimodipine and Rifapentine?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid the combination if possible, or monitor clinical response and blood pressure closely and adjust the nimodipine dose. Effects of induction persist for some time after rifapentine is 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.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
