Drug interactions
Raltegravir + Rifabutin
Severity: Moderate
Raltegravir and Rifabutin: 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
Rifabutin induces UGT1A1 and lowers raltegravir exposure modestly. The effect is generally smaller than with rifampicin and is usually tolerated.
What this interaction means in plain words
Raltegravir and Rifabutin 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.
Raltegravir belongs to Anti Virals; Rifabutin belongs to Anti Bacterial.
Why it happens
Rifabutin induces UGT1A1-mediated glucuronidation of raltegravir, increasing its clearance.
What to do
The standard raltegravir dose is generally used with rifabutin; monitor HIV viral load for adequate response.
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 Raltegravir
- Elvitegravir / cobicistat / emtricitabine / tenofovir df + Raltegravir Contraindicated
- Aluminum hydroxide / magnesium carbonate + Raltegravir Major
- Aluminum hydroxide / magnesium trisilicate + Raltegravir Major
- Aluminum hydroxide + Raltegravir Major
- Atidarsagene autotemcel + Raltegravir Major
- Betibeglogene autotemcel + Raltegravir Major
Other interactions of Rifabutin
- Cabotegravir + Rifabutin Contraindicated
- Lorlatinib + Rifabutin Contraindicated
- Rifabutin + Voriconazole Contraindicated
- Apixaban + Rifabutin Major
- Axitinib + Rifabutin Major
- Brexpiprazole + Rifabutin Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Raltegravir with Rifabutin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Raltegravir and Rifabutin 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. Rifabutin induces UGT1A1 and lowers raltegravir exposure modestly. The effect is generally smaller than with rifampicin and is usually tolerated.
How serious is the interaction between Raltegravir and Rifabutin?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: The standard raltegravir dose is generally used with rifabutin; monitor HIV viral load for adequate response.
What other medicines interact with Raltegravir?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Raltegravir with, for example, Elvitegravir / cobicistat / emtricitabine / tenofovir df, Aluminum hydroxide / magnesium carbonate, Aluminum hydroxide / magnesium trisilicate. The full list is on the Raltegravir page.
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