Drug interactions
Prednisone + Rifapentine
Severity: Moderate
Prednisone and Rifapentine: moderate interaction.
Last updated Sources: US FDA label
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 increases the clearance of prednisolone, the active metabolite of prednisone. This can reduce corticosteroid efficacy, risking relapse of the underlying condition or adrenal insufficiency in dependent patients.
What this interaction means in plain words
Prednisone 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.
Prednisone belongs to Endocrine; Rifapentine belongs to Anti Bacterial.
Why it happens
Rifapentine induces hepatic and intestinal CYP3A4, accelerating corticosteroid metabolism.
What to do
Monitor clinical response and increase the prednisone dose if disease control is lost. Reassess the dose when rifapentine is stopped, since induction wanes over weeks.
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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References
- Priftin - FDA drug label (DailyMed) — openFDA / DailyMed
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 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 Prednisone with Rifapentine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Prednisone 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 induces CYP3A4 and increases the clearance of prednisolone, the active metabolite of prednisone. This can reduce corticosteroid efficacy, risking relapse of the underlying condition or adrenal insufficiency in dependent patients.
How serious is the interaction between Prednisone 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 increase the prednisone dose if disease control is lost. Reassess the dose when rifapentine is stopped, since induction wanes over weeks.
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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