Drug interactions
Rifapentine + Zonisamide
Severity: Moderate
Rifapentine and Zonisamide: 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
Rifapentine is an inducer of CYP3A4 and may substantially lower zonisamide concentrations. This could lead to loss of seizure control.
What this interaction means in plain words
Rifapentine and Zonisamide 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.
Rifapentine belongs to Anti Bacterial; Zonisamide belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Rifapentine induces CYP3A4, increasing zonisamide metabolic clearance.
What to do
Monitor seizure control closely and increase the zonisamide dose if needed. Reassess dosing after rifapentine is stopped.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Rifapentine and Zonisamide, 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.
Other interactions of Zonisamide
- Zonisamide + Zuranolone Major
- Acetazolamide + Zonisamide Moderate
- Amisulpride + Zonisamide Moderate
- Amobarbital + Zonisamide Moderate
- Apalutamide + Zonisamide Moderate
- Asenapine transdermal + Zonisamide Moderate
Other interactions of Rifapentine
- Ledipasvir-sofosbuvir + Rifapentine Contraindicated
- Lorlatinib + Rifapentine Contraindicated
- Lurasidone + Rifapentine Contraindicated
- Ranolazine + Rifapentine Contraindicated
- Rifapentine + Sofosbuvir-velpatasvir Contraindicated
- Rifapentine + Sofosbuvir-velpatasvir-voxilaprevir Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Rifapentine with Zonisamide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Rifapentine and Zonisamide 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. Rifapentine is an inducer of CYP3A4 and may substantially lower zonisamide concentrations. This could lead to loss of seizure control.
How serious is the interaction between Rifapentine and Zonisamide?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor seizure control closely and increase the zonisamide dose if needed. Reassess dosing after rifapentine is stopped.
What other medicines interact with Zonisamide?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Zonisamide with, for example, Zuranolone, Acetazolamide, Amisulpride. The full list is on the Zonisamide 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.
