Deflazacort and Lopinavir and ritonavir interaction

Deflazacort and Lopinavir and ritonavir: both prescribing labels flag this combination with the strongest language, such as a contraindication, a boxed warning, or an instruction to avoid it.

Major

Do not combine without a prescriber's guidance. The label language below is the strongest FDA uses.

What the FDA labels say

From the Deflazacort (EMFLAZA) label · effective 2025-11-13

Major

Avoid use of moderate or strong CYP3A4 inducers with EMFLAZA, as they may reduce efficacy ( 7.1 )

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Major

Avoid concomitant use of strong (e.g., efavirenz) or moderate (e.g., carbamazepine, phenytoin) CYP3A4 inducers with EMFLAZA [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.5 ) and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] .

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Moderate

Moderate or strong CYP3A4 inhibitors: Give one third of the recommended dosage of EMFLAZA ( 7.1 )

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Moderate

Co-administration of deflazacort with clarithromycin, a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor, increased total exposure to 21-desDFZ by about 3-fold.

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Moderate

Therefore, give one third the recommended dosage of EMFLAZA when moderate or strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., clarithromycin, fluconazole, diltiazem, verapamil, grapefruit juice) are used concomitantly with EMFLAZA [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.5 ) and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] .

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From the Lopinavir and ritonavir (Kaletra) label · effective 2026-07-23

Moderate

…Nasal/Ophthalmic Corticosteroids: e.g., betamethasone budesonide ciclesonide dexamethasone fluticasone methylprednisolone mometasone prednisone triamcinolone ↓ lopinavir ↑ glucocorticoids Coadministration with oral dexamethasone or other systemic corticosteroids that induce CYP3A may result in loss of therapeutic effect and development of resistance to lopinavir.

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Moderate

Consider alternative corticosteroids.

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Moderate

Coadministration with corticosteroids whose exposures are significantly increased by strong CYP3A inhibitors can increase the risk for Cushing’s syndrome and adrenal suppression.

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Moderate

Alternative corticosteroids including beclomethasone and prednisolone (whose PK and/or PD are less affected by strong CYP3A inhibitors relative to other studied steroids) should be considered, particularly for long-term use. * see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 ) for magnitude of interaction. # refers to interaction with apalutamide.

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Minor

Contraceptive: ethinyl estradiol* ↓ ethinyl estradiol Because contraceptive steroid concentrations may be altered when KALETRA is co-administered with oral contraceptives or with the contraceptive patch, alternative methods of nonhormonal contraception are recommended.

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Not medical advice. Interaction Checker quotes FDA label text and NIH fact sheets. Whether an interaction matters for you depends on doses, timing, kidney and liver function, and other conditions. Confirm with a pharmacist or prescriber.