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Drug Interactions between ambrisentan and rifampin

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

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Interactions between your drugs

Moderate

rifAMPin ambrisentan

Applies to: rifampin and ambrisentan

MONITOR: Acute, but not long-term, coadministration of rifampin increases the plasma concentrations of ambrisentan. Rifampin is an inhibitor of organic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP), a strong inducer of CYP450 3A4 and 2C19, and an inducer of P-glycoprotein and uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs), all of which have been shown in vitro to be involved in the metabolic clearance of ambrisentan. In healthy volunteers, acute coadministration (3 days) of rifampin 600 mg once daily with ambrisentan 10 mg once daily was associated with a transient 2-fold increase in ambrisentan systemic exposure (AUC). However, by day 7, rifampin had no clinically relevant effect on the AUC or Cmax of ambrisentan.

MANAGEMENT: Patients receiving ambrisentan therapy should be closely monitored when starting treatment with rifampin. Because ambrisentan is associated with dose-related hepatotoxicity, patients should be advised to notify their physician if they experience signs and symptoms of liver injury such as fever, rash, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, right upper quadrant pain, dark urine, and jaundice. Patients should also be monitored for anemia, fluid retention, and pulmonary edema.

References (2)
  1. (2007) "Product Information. Letairis (ambrisentan)." Gilead Sciences
  2. Harrison B, Magee MH, Mandagere A, et al. (2010) "Effects of rifampicin (rifampin) on the pharmacokinetics and safety of ambrisentan in healthy subjects: a single-sequence, open-label study." Clin Drug Investig, 30, p. 875-85

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.

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.


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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.