Drug interactions
Norethisterone + Rufinamide
Severity: Moderate
Norethisterone and Rufinamide: 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
Rufinamide is a weak CYP3A4 inducer and may reduce hormonal contraceptive exposure. This can reduce contraceptive efficacy.
What this interaction means in plain words
Norethisterone and Rufinamide 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.
Norethisterone belongs to Endocrine; Rufinamide belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Weak induction of CYP3A4 by rufinamide increases norethisterone clearance.
What to do
Advise an additional non-hormonal contraceptive method during rufinamide therapy and for a short period afterwards.
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 Norethisterone
- Acitretin + Norethisterone Contraindicated
- Amobarbital + Norethisterone Major
- Apalutamide + Norethisterone Major
- Belzutifan + Norethisterone Major
- Bosentan + Norethisterone Major
- Brigatinib + Norethisterone Major
Other interactions of Rufinamide
- Carbamazepine + Rufinamide Moderate
- Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol + Rufinamide Moderate
- Dronedarone + Rufinamide Moderate
- Esketamine + Rufinamide Moderate
- Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone + Rufinamide Moderate
- Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel + Rufinamide Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Norethisterone with Rufinamide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Norethisterone and Rufinamide 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. Rufinamide is a weak CYP3A4 inducer and may reduce hormonal contraceptive exposure. This can reduce contraceptive efficacy.
How serious is the interaction between Norethisterone and Rufinamide?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Advise an additional non-hormonal contraceptive method during rufinamide therapy and for a short period afterwards.
What other medicines interact with Norethisterone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Norethisterone with, for example, Acitretin, Amobarbital, Apalutamide. The full list is on the Norethisterone page.
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