Drug interactions
Pimozide + Rifapentine
Severity: Moderate
Pimozide and Rifapentine: 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
Rifapentine is a potent CYP3A4 inducer and can substantially lower pimozide concentrations, risking loss of efficacy. When rifapentine is stopped, pimozide levels rise again, which can affect QT safety.
What this interaction means in plain words
Pimozide and Rifapentine 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.
Pimozide belongs to Central Nervous System; Rifapentine belongs to Anti Bacterial.
Why it happens
Rifapentine strongly induces CYP3A4, increasing pimozide metabolism.
What to do
Monitor clinical response and adjust the pimozide dose cautiously with ECG monitoring. Reassess the dose when rifapentine 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 Pimozide
- Adagrasib + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Amiodarone + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Amisulpride + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Amoxapine + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Anagrelide + Pimozide Contraindicated
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 Pimozide with Rifapentine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Pimozide and Rifapentine 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. Rifapentine is a potent CYP3A4 inducer and can substantially lower pimozide concentrations, risking loss of efficacy. When rifapentine is stopped, pimozide levels rise again, which can affect QT safety.
How serious is the interaction between Pimozide and Rifapentine?
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 clinical response and adjust the pimozide dose cautiously with ECG monitoring. Reassess the dose when rifapentine is stopped.
What other medicines interact with Pimozide?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Pimozide with, for example, Adagrasib, Amiodarone, Amisulpride. The full list is on the Pimozide page.
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