Lopinavir and ritonavir and Zaleplon interaction

Lopinavir and ritonavir and Zaleplon: 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 Lopinavir and ritonavir (Kaletra) label · effective 2026-07-23

Major

…Non-opioid Analgesic (selective blocker of Nav1.8 sodium channels): suzetrigine PDE5 Inhibitor: sildenafil (Revatio ® ) when used for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension Sedative/Hypnotics: triazolam, orally administered midazolam KALETRA is contraindicated with drugs that are potent CYP3A inducers where significantly reduced lopinavir plasma concentrations…

Contraindicationsby drug classView label on DailyMed
Major

Postmarketing life-threatening cases of cardiac toxicity (including complete AV block, bradycardia, and cardiomyopathy), lactic acidosis, acute renal failure, CNS depression and respiratory complications leading to death have been reported, predominantly in preterm neonates receiving KALETRA oral solution.

Warnings and precautionsby drug classView label on DailyMed
Major

Sedative/Hypnotics: triazolam, orally administered midazolam ↑ triazolam ↑ midazolam Contraindicated due to potential for prolonged or increased sedation or respiratory depression [see Contraindications ( 4 )] .

Drug interactionsby drug classView label on DailyMed
Moderate

…potential risks, infants should be monitored closely for increases in serum osmolality and serum creatinine, and for toxicity related to KALETRA oral solution including: hyperosmolality, with or without lactic acidosis, renal toxicity, CNS depression (including stupor, coma, and apnea), seizures, hypotonia, cardiac arrhythmias and ECG changes, and hemolysis.

Warnings and precautionsby drug classView label on DailyMed
Moderate

Sedative/Hypnotics: parenterally administered midazolam ↑ midazolam If KALETRA is co-administered with parenteral midazolam, close clinical monitoring for respiratory depression and/or prolonged sedation should be exercised and dosage adjustment should be considered.

Drug interactionsby drug classView label on DailyMed

From the Zaleplon label · effective 2025-10-08

Moderate

Multiple-dose administration of the potent CYP3A4 inducer rifampin (600 mg every 24 hours, q24h, for 14 days), however, reduced zaleplon C max and AUC by approximately 80%.

Drug interactionsby drug classView label on DailyMed
Moderate

An alternative non-CYP3A4 substrate hypnotic agent may be considered in patients taking CYP3A4 inducers such as rifampin, phenytoin, carbamazepine, and phenobarbital.

Drug interactionsby drug classView label on DailyMed
Moderate

Drugs That Inhibit CYP3A4 CYP3A4 is a minor metabolic pathway for the elimination of zaleplon because the sum of desethylzaleplon (formed via CYP3A4 in vitro) and its metabolites, 5-oxo-desethylzaleplon and 5-oxo-desethylzaleplon glucuronide, account for only 9% of the urinary recovery of a zaleplon dose.

Drug interactionsby drug classView label on DailyMed
Moderate

Coadministration of single, oral doses of zaleplon with erythromycin (10 mg and 800 mg respectively), a strong, selective CYP3A4 inhibitor, produced a 34% increase in zaleplon's maximal plasma concentrations and a 20% increase in the area under the plasma concentration-time curve.

Drug interactionsby drug classView label on DailyMed
Moderate

Other strong selective CYP3A4 inhibitors such as ketoconazole can also be expected to increase the exposure of zaleplon.

Drug interactionsby drug classView label on DailyMed

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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.