Skip to main content

Drug Interactions between alfentanil and rifampin

This report displays the potential drug interactions for the following 2 drugs:

Edit list (add/remove drugs)

Interactions between your drugs

Moderate

rifAMPin ALfentanil

Applies to: rifampin and alfentanil

MONITOR: Coadministration with inducers of CYP450 3A4 may decrease the plasma concentrations of alfentanil, which appears to be extensively metabolized by the isoenzyme. Clinical data are limited, however. In nine healthy male volunteers, intravenous administration of a single 20 mcg/kg dose of alfentanil with the potent CYP450 3A4 inducer rifampin increased alfentanil clearance by nearly 3-fold and decreased elimination half-life by 40% compared to controls. Another study also reported substantially increased clearance rates of alfentanil in seven patients receiving long-term therapy with inducer drugs compared to six patients not receiving those drugs (mean clearance 6.94 mL/min/kg vs. 3.47 mL/min/kg; half-life 50.6 hrs vs. 90.7 hrs).

MANAGEMENT: Patients who are currently receiving or have recently received drugs that induce CYP450 3A4 should be monitored for potentially decreased response to alfentanil, and the dosage adjusted as necessary.

References (4)
  1. Kharasch ED, Thummel KE (1993) "Human alfentanil metabolism by cytochrome P450 3A3/4. An explanation for the interindividual variability in alfentanil clearance?" Anesth Analg, 76, p. 1033-9
  2. Koehntop DE, Noormohamed SE, Fletcher CV (1994) "Effects of long-term drugs on alfentanil clearance in patients undergoing renal transplantation." Pharmacotherapy, 14, p. 592-9
  3. Labroo RB, Thummel KE, Kunze KL, Podoll T, Trager WF, Kharasch ED (1995) "Catalytic role of cytochrome P4503A4 in multiple pathways of alfentanil metabolism." Drug Metab Dispos, 23, p. 490-6
  4. Kharasch ED, Russell M, Mautz D, Thummel KE, Kunze KL, Bowdle A, Cox K (1997) "The role of cytochrome P450 3A4 in alfentanil clearance. Implications for interindividual variability in disposition and perioperative drug interactions." Anesthesiology, 87, p. 36-50

Drug and food interactions

Moderate

rifAMPin food

Applies to: rifampin

GENERALLY AVOID: Concurrent use of rifampin in patients who ingest alcohol daily may result in an increased incidence of hepatotoxicity. The increase in hepatotoxicity may be due to an additive risk as both alcohol and rifampin are individually associated with this adverse reaction. However, the exact mechanism has not been established.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Administration with food may reduce oral rifampin absorption, increasing the risk of therapeutic failure or resistance. In a randomized, four-period crossover phase I study of 14 healthy male and female volunteers, the pharmacokinetics of single dose rifampin 600 mg were evaluated under fasting conditions and with a high-fat meal. Researchers observed that administration of rifampin with a high-fat meal reduced rifampin peak plasma concentration (Cmax) by 36%, nearly doubled the time to reach peak plasma concentration (Tmax) but reduced overall exposure (AUC) by only 6%.

MANAGEMENT: The manufacturer of oral forms of rifampin recommends administration on an empty stomach, 30 minutes before or 2 hours after meals. Patients should be encouraged to avoid alcohol or strictly limit their intake. Patients who use alcohol and rifampin concurrently or have a history of alcohol use disorder may require additional monitoring of their liver function during treatment with rifampin.

References (6)
  1. (2022) "Product Information. Rifampin (rifAMPin)." Akorn Inc
  2. (2022) "Product Information. Rifampicin (rifampicin)." Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc
  3. (2023) "Product Information. Rifadin (rifampicin)." Sanofi
  4. (2024) "Product Information. Rifadin (rifaMPICin)." Sanofi-Aventis Australia Pty Ltd
  5. Peloquin CA, Namdar R, Singleton MD, Nix DE (2024) Pharmacokinetics of rifampin under fasting conditions, with food, and with antacids https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9925057/
  6. (2019) "Product Information. Rofact (rifampin)." Bausch Health, Canada Inc.
Moderate

ALfentanil food

Applies to: alfentanil

GENERALLY AVOID: Ethanol may potentiate the central nervous system (CNS) depressant effects of opioid analgesics. Concomitant use may result in additive CNS depression and impairment of judgment, thinking, and psychomotor skills. In more severe cases, hypotension, respiratory depression, profound sedation, coma, or even death may occur.

MANAGEMENT: Concomitant use of opioid analgesics with ethanol should be avoided.

References (9)
  1. Linnoila M, Hakkinen S (1974) "Effects of diazepam and codeine, alone and in combination with alcohol, on simulated driving." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 15, p. 368-73
  2. Sturner WQ, Garriott JC (1973) "Deaths involving propoxyphene: a study of 41 cases over a two-year period." JAMA, 223, p. 1125-30
  3. Girre C, Hirschhorn M, Bertaux L, et al. (1991) "Enhancement of propoxyphene bioavailability by ethanol: relation to psychomotor and cognitive function in healthy volunteers." Eur J Clin Pharmacol, 41, p. 147-52
  4. Levine B, Saady J, Fierro M, Valentour J (1984) "A hydromorphone and ethanol fatality." J Forensic Sci, 29, p. 655-9
  5. Sellers EM, Hamilton CA, Kaplan HL, Degani NC, Foltz RL (1985) "Pharmacokinetic interaction of propoxyphene with ethanol." Br J Clin Pharmacol, 19, p. 398-401
  6. Carson DJ (1977) "Fatal dextropropoxyphene poisoning in Northern Ireland. Review of 30 cases." Lancet, 1, p. 894-7
  7. Rosser WW (1980) "The interaction of propoxyphene with other drugs." Can Med Assoc J, 122, p. 149-50
  8. Edwards C, Gard PR, Handley SL, Hunter M, Whittington RM (1982) "Distalgesic and ethanol-impaired function." Lancet, 2, p. 384
  9. Kiplinger GF, Sokol G, Rodda BE (1974) "Effect of combined alcohol and propoxyphene on human performance." Arch Int Pharmacodyn Ther, 212, p. 175-80

Therapeutic duplication warnings

No warnings were found for your selected drugs.

Therapeutic duplication warnings are only returned when drugs within the same group exceed the recommended therapeutic duplication maximum.

See also

Report options

Loading...
QR code containing a link to this page

Drug Interaction Classification

These classifications are only a guideline. The relevance of a particular drug interaction to a specific individual is difficult to determine. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medication.
Major Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit.
Moderate Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances.
Minor Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan.
Unknown No interaction information available.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer