Skip to content

Drug interactions

Rifampin + Temsirolimus

Severity: Major

Rifampin and Temsirolimus: major 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

Rifampin is a strong CYP3A4 inducer and lowers exposure to temsirolimus and its active metabolite sirolimus. This may reduce antitumor efficacy.

What this interaction means in plain words

Rifampin and Temsirolimus can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.

Evidence level: High

Why it happens

Induction of CYP3A4 (and P-gp) increases the metabolism and efflux of temsirolimus.

What to do

Avoid rifampin and other strong inducers; if unavoidable, labeling suggests increasing the temsirolimus dose and reducing it again after the inducer is stopped.

What to ask your pharmacist

  • Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
  • Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
  • What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?

Bring a full list of your medicines, including over-the-counter products, supplements and herbal remedies, to every pharmacy visit.

Pro+ members

Unlock the full page

Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Rifampin and Temsirolimus, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.

  • Full clinical management advice
  • Additional notes
  • Evidence detail
  • Interaction checker for a whole prescription

Try Pro+ free for 14 days on the web. No card needed.

Frequently asked questions

Can I take Rifampin with Temsirolimus?

MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Rifampin and Temsirolimus can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Rifampin is a strong CYP3A4 inducer and lowers exposure to temsirolimus and its active metabolite sirolimus. This may reduce antitumor efficacy.

How serious is the interaction between Rifampin and Temsirolimus?

MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid rifampin and other strong inducers; if unavoidable, labeling suggests increasing the temsirolimus dose and reducing it again after the inducer is stopped.

What other medicines interact with Temsirolimus?

MediHelp also lists interactions of Temsirolimus with, for example, Bcg vaccine live, Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal, Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live. The full list is on the Temsirolimus page.

Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app

Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.

Browse A–Z · Drug interactions

Get the app Sign in