Drug interactions
Rifampicin + Sufentanil
Severity: Moderate
Rifampicin and Sufentanil: 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
Rifampicin lowers sufentanil levels and may cause inadequate analgesia. If rifampicin is stopped, sufentanil levels rise and can cause respiratory depression.
What this interaction means in plain words
Rifampicin and Sufentanil 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.
Rifampicin belongs to Anti Bacterial; Sufentanil belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Rifampicin induces CYP3A4, increasing sufentanil metabolism.
What to do
Titrate sufentanil to effect and expect higher requirements. Reduce the dose and monitor for sedation and respiratory depression when rifampicin 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 Sufentanil
- Alprazolam + Sufentanil Major
- Amitriptyline + Sufentanil Major
- Amobarbital + Sufentanil Major
- Aripiprazole + Sufentanil Major
- Asenapine + Sufentanil Major
- Baclofen + Sufentanil Major
Other interactions of Rifampicin
- Cabotegravir + Rifampicin Contraindicated
- Delamanid + Rifampicin Contraindicated
- Doravirine + Rifampicin Contraindicated
- Ensitrelvir + Rifampicin Contraindicated
- Fostemsavir + Rifampicin Contraindicated
- Isavuconazole + Rifampicin Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Rifampicin with Sufentanil?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Rifampicin and Sufentanil 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. Rifampicin lowers sufentanil levels and may cause inadequate analgesia. If rifampicin is stopped, sufentanil levels rise and can cause respiratory depression.
How serious is the interaction between Rifampicin and Sufentanil?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Titrate sufentanil to effect and expect higher requirements. Reduce the dose and monitor for sedation and respiratory depression when rifampicin is discontinued.
What other medicines interact with Sufentanil?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Sufentanil with, for example, Alprazolam, Amitriptyline, Amobarbital. The full list is on the Sufentanil page.
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