Drug interactions
Rufinamide + Valproic acid
Severity: Moderate
Rufinamide and Valproic acid: 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 can raise rufinamide plasma concentrations, especially in children, which may increase dizziness, somnolence, nausea and other adverse effects. The effect is greater at higher valproate exposure.
What this interaction means in plain words
Rufinamide and Valproic acid 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; Valproic acid belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Valproate reduces rufinamide clearance, likely via inhibition of its metabolism.
What to do
Start rufinamide at a low dose and titrate slowly while monitoring for CNS adverse effects. Adjust the dose according to tolerability and seizure control.
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 Valproic acid
- Ertapenem + Valproic acid Contraindicated
- Imipenem / cilastatin / relebactam + Valproic acid Contraindicated
- Imipenem / cilastatin + Valproic acid Contraindicated
- Meropenem / vaborbactam + Valproic acid Contraindicated
- Meropenem + Valproic acid Contraindicated
- Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates + Valproic acid Major
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
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Rufinamide with Valproic acid?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Rufinamide and Valproic acid 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 can raise rufinamide plasma concentrations, especially in children, which may increase dizziness, somnolence, nausea and other adverse effects. The effect is greater at higher valproate exposure.
How serious is the interaction between Rufinamide and Valproic acid?
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 low dose and titrate slowly while monitoring for CNS adverse effects. Adjust the dose according to tolerability and seizure control.
What other medicines interact with Valproic acid?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Valproic acid with, for example, Ertapenem, Imipenem / cilastatin / relebactam, Imipenem / cilastatin. The full list is on the Valproic acid page.
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