Drug interactions
Rufinamide + Sodium valproate
Severity: Moderate
Rufinamide and Sodium valproate: 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
Valproate increases rufinamide concentrations, especially in children, raising the risk of somnolence, vomiting, dizziness and QT shortening.
What this interaction means in plain words
Rufinamide and Sodium valproate 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.
Rufinamide belongs to Central Nervous System; Sodium valproate belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Valproate probably inhibits the metabolism of rufinamide, which is cleared by carboxylesterase hydrolysis.
What to do
Start rufinamide at a lower dose than usual in patients on valproate, and titrate slowly. Monitor for adverse effects.
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 Rufinamide
- Carbamazepine + Rufinamide Moderate
- Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol + Rufinamide Moderate
- Dronedarone + Rufinamide Moderate
- Esketamine + Rufinamide Moderate
- Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone + Rufinamide Moderate
- Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel + Rufinamide Moderate
Other interactions of Sodium valproate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Rufinamide with Sodium valproate?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Rufinamide and Sodium valproate 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. Valproate increases rufinamide concentrations, especially in children, raising the risk of somnolence, vomiting, dizziness and QT shortening.
How serious is the interaction between Rufinamide and Sodium valproate?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Start rufinamide at a lower dose than usual in patients on valproate, and titrate slowly. Monitor for adverse effects.
What other medicines interact with Rufinamide?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Rufinamide with, for example, Carbamazepine, Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol, Dronedarone. The full list is on the Rufinamide page.
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