Prednisolone and Rifampin interaction
Prednisolone and Rifampin: both prescribing labels describe an interaction that usually calls for monitoring, a dose change, or spacing the doses.
Usually manageable with monitoring or a dose change. Tell your pharmacist you take both.
What the FDA labels say
From the Prednisolone (Orapred ODT) label · effective 2025-06-03
CYP 3A4 inducers (e.g. barbiturates, phenytoin, carbamazepine, and rifampin): Drugs such as barbiturates, phenytoin, ephedrine, and rifampin, which induce hepatic microsomal drug metabolizing enzyme activity may enhance metabolism of prednisolone and require that the dosage of Orapred be increased.
CYP 3A4 inducers and inhibitors: May, respectively, increase or decrease clearance of corticosteroids, necessitating dose adjustment.
From the Rifampin (Rifadin IV) label · effective 2026-05-27
Prednisolone Decrease exposure Cardiac Glycosides Digoxin Prevention or Management: Measure serum digoxin concentrations before initiating rifampin.
…Calcium Channel Blockers Diltiazem Decrease exposure Nifedipine Rifampin 1200 mg administered as a single oral dose 8 hours before administering a single oral dose of nifedipine 10 mg Decrease exposure Verapamil Decrease exposure Corticosteroids Numerous cases in the literature describe a decrease in glucocorticoid effect when used concomitantly with rifampin.
Taking more than these two? Interactions stack. Check your whole list at once; it stays in your browser.
Open in the checkerNot 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.