Drug interactions
Rifabutin + Zidovudine
Severity: Moderate
Rifabutin and Zidovudine: 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 may modestly reduce zidovudine exposure by inducing metabolic enzymes, but the effect is generally not considered clinically important. Rifabutin can also cause neutropenia, which may add to zidovudine hematologic toxicity.
What this interaction means in plain words
Rifabutin and Zidovudine 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 belongs to Anti Bacterial; Zidovudine belongs to Anti Virals.
Why it happens
Possible enzyme induction (glucuronidation) lowering zidovudine levels, plus additive neutropenia.
What to do
No zidovudine dose change is usually needed; monitor complete blood counts and virologic response. Reassess therapy if neutropenia develops.
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 Zidovudine
- Elvitegravir / cobicistat / emtricitabine / tenofovir df + Zidovudine Contraindicated
- Stavudine + Zidovudine Contraindicated
- Atidarsagene autotemcel + Zidovudine Major
- Betibeglogene autotemcel + Zidovudine Major
- Carboplatin + Zidovudine Major
- Cisplatin + Zidovudine 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 Rifabutin with Zidovudine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Rifabutin and Zidovudine 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 may modestly reduce zidovudine exposure by inducing metabolic enzymes, but the effect is generally not considered clinically important. Rifabutin can also cause neutropenia, which may add to zidovudine hematologic toxicity.
How serious is the interaction between Rifabutin and Zidovudine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: No zidovudine dose change is usually needed; monitor complete blood counts and virologic response. Reassess therapy if neutropenia develops.
What other medicines interact with Zidovudine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Zidovudine with, for example, Elvitegravir / cobicistat / emtricitabine / tenofovir df, Stavudine, Atidarsagene autotemcel. The full list is on the Zidovudine page.
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