Drug interactions
Phenobarbitone + Rufinamide
Severity: Moderate
Phenobarbitone 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
Phenobarbital can lower rufinamide plasma concentrations by increasing its clearance. This may reduce seizure control, particularly when phenobarbital is started or the dose is raised.
What this interaction means in plain words
Phenobarbitone 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.
Phenobarbitone belongs to Central Nervous System; Rufinamide belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Enzyme induction by phenobarbital increases the metabolic clearance of rufinamide.
What to do
Monitor seizure control and consider rufinamide dose adjustment when phenobarbital is added or changed. Reassess the dose if phenobarbital is withdrawn.
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 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
Other interactions of Phenobarbitone
- Cabotegravir + Phenobarbitone Contraindicated
- Doravirine + Phenobarbitone Contraindicated
- Isavuconazole + Phenobarbitone Contraindicated
- Darolutamide + Phenobarbitone Major
- Finerenone + Phenobarbitone Major
- Ivacaftor + Phenobarbitone Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Phenobarbitone with Rufinamide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Phenobarbitone 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. Phenobarbital can lower rufinamide plasma concentrations by increasing its clearance. This may reduce seizure control, particularly when phenobarbital is started or the dose is raised.
How serious is the interaction between Phenobarbitone 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: Monitor seizure control and consider rufinamide dose adjustment when phenobarbital is added or changed. Reassess the dose if phenobarbital is withdrawn.
What other medicines interact with Rufinamide?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Rufinamide with, for example, Carbamazepine, Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol, Dronedarone. The full list is on the Rufinamide page.
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