Drug interactions
Primidone + Tetracycline
Severity: Minor
Primidone and Tetracycline: minor 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 that may shorten the half-life of tetracyclines. The effect is best documented with doxycycline, and is likely small for tetracycline.
What this interaction means in plain words
Primidone and Tetracycline have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Primidone belongs to Central Nervous System; Tetracycline belongs to Anti Bacterial.
Why it happens
Hepatic enzyme induction by primidone and its phenobarbital metabolite may increase tetracycline clearance.
What to do
No routine adjustment needed. Monitor clinical response to the antibiotic and consider an alternative if therapy fails.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there anything I should notice while taking both?
- Do I need to tell my doctor at the next visit?
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Other interactions of Tetracycline
- Acitretin + Tetracycline Contraindicated
- Methoxyflurane + Tetracycline Contraindicated
- Isotretinoin + Tetracycline Major
- Palovarotene + Tetracycline Major
- Strontium ranelate + Tetracycline Major
- Tetracycline + Tretinoin 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 Primidone with Tetracycline?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Primidone and Tetracycline have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Primidone is metabolized to phenobarbital, an enzyme inducer that may shorten the half-life of tetracyclines. The effect is best documented with doxycycline, and is likely small for tetracycline.
How serious is the interaction between Primidone and Tetracycline?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: No routine adjustment needed. Monitor clinical response to the antibiotic and consider an alternative if therapy fails.
What other medicines interact with Tetracycline?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Tetracycline with, for example, Acitretin, Methoxyflurane, Isotretinoin. The full list is on the Tetracycline page.
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