Drug Interactions With Rufinamide

When rufinamide is taken with certain other medications, such as Dilantin or birth control pills, potentially negative interactions can occur. These drug interactions with rufinamide can lead to problems, such as increased or decreased drug levels in the blood. To prevent these and other interactions, your healthcare provider may adjust your dosages or recommend another medication.

An Overview of Rufinamide Interactions

Rufinamide (Banzel™) can potentially interact with several other medications. Some of the medicines that may lead to drug interactions with rufinamide include:
 

Drug Interactions With Rufinamide Explained

The following sections explain in detail the potentially negative interactions that can occur when rufinamide is combined with any of the drugs listed above.
 
Divalproex or Valproic Acid
Divalproex or valproic acid can significantly increase the level of rufinamide in the blood. If you are already taking rufinamide, your healthcare provider should start you with a low divalproex or valproic acid dosage. If you are already taking divalproex or valproic acid, your healthcare provider should start with a low rufinamide dosage (less than 400 mg per day).
 
Hormonal Birth Control
Rufinamide can decrease the level of birth control hormones in the blood, perhaps increasing your risk of pregnancy. If you take rufinamide, an additional non-hormonal method of birth control (such as condoms) is recommended.

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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;
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