Drug interactions
Prednisone + Primidone
Severity: Moderate
Prednisone 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 metabolized to phenobarbital, an enzyme inducer, which can accelerate corticosteroid metabolism and reduce effect. Loss of disease control may occur.
What this interaction means in plain words
Prednisone 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.
Prednisone belongs to Endocrine; Primidone belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Primidone and its metabolite phenobarbital induce CYP3A4, increasing prednisolone clearance.
What to do
Monitor clinical response and increase the prednisone dose if needed. Reduce the dose again if primidone is discontinued.
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 Prednisone
- Bcg vaccine live + Prednisone Contraindicated
- Measles vaccine + Prednisone Contraindicated
- Mifepristone + Prednisone Contraindicated
- Prednisone + Radium-223 dichloride Contraindicated
- Prednisone + Smallpox vaccine live Contraindicated
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Prednisone 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 Prednisone with Primidone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Prednisone 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 metabolized to phenobarbital, an enzyme inducer, which can accelerate corticosteroid metabolism and reduce effect. Loss of disease control may occur.
How serious is the interaction between Prednisone 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 clinical response and increase the prednisone dose if needed. Reduce the dose again if primidone is discontinued.
What other medicines interact with Prednisone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Prednisone with, for example, Bcg vaccine live, Measles vaccine, Mifepristone. The full list is on the Prednisone page.
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