Does Hydroxychloroquine Interact With Rifampin?
7.9 Rifampicin Lack of efficacy of hydroxychloroquine was reported when rifampicin was concomitantly administered.
Severity: Minor
Severity basis: drug interactions section. Combining Hydroxychloroquine (Antimalarial / DMARD) and Rifampin (Rifamycin antibiotic (strong CYP3A4 inducer)) is classified as a minor interaction.
What to Do
This is generally a minor interaction, but review it with your pharmacist to be sure it is safe for you.
How This Interaction Works
Interactions like this one can happen when two medicines have overlapping effects, or when one changes how the other is absorbed, broken down, or cleared from the body. Hydroxychloroquine is a antimalarial / dmard and Rifampin is a rifamycin antibiotic (strong cyp3a4 inducer); together they are documented as a minor interaction. How much this matters depends on your dose, your other medications, and your overall health.
If You Take Both Medications
If you have been prescribed both Hydroxychloroquine and Rifampin, do not start, stop, or change either medication on your own — some medicines are unsafe to stop suddenly. Tell your prescriber and pharmacist that you take both so they can decide whether the combination is right for you, adjust the dose, monitor you more closely, or suggest an alternative.
From the FDA Label
7.9 Rifampicin Lack of efficacy of hydroxychloroquine was reported when rifampicin was concomitantly administered.
Source: FDA structured product labeling (set_id 04139607-f7c0-4fe1-a210-ffa5af347d56).
Check these against your full medication list in our free Interaction Checker
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you take Hydroxychloroquine and Rifampin together?
Hydroxychloroquine and Rifampin have a documented minor interaction. This is generally a minor interaction, but review it with your pharmacist to be sure it is safe for you.
How serious is the Hydroxychloroquine and Rifampin interaction?
It is classified as a minor interaction, based on the FDA label's drug interactions section. A minor interaction is usually limited in effect but is still worth discussing with your care team.
What should I do if I'm taking both Hydroxychloroquine and Rifampin?
If you have been prescribed both Hydroxychloroquine and Rifampin, do not start, stop, or change either medication on your own — some medicines are unsafe to stop suddenly. Tell your prescriber and pharmacist that you take both so they can decide whether the combination is right for you, adjust the dose, monitor you more closely, or suggest an alternative.
This information is educational — not medical advice.
This page is provided for general educational purposes and summarizes publicly available data from sources such as the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. It is not a substitute for the judgment of a licensed clinician and should not be used to start, stop, or change any medication. It may be incomplete or out of date, and individual circumstances vary. Always talk with your prescriber or pharmacist about your specific medications and health conditions. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911.
Other Hydroxychloroquine Interactions
Other Rifampin Interactions
- Rifampin + Apixaban(major)
- Rifampin + Clopidogrel(major)
- Rifampin + Dabigatran(major)
- Rifampin + Doxycycline(major)
- Rifampin + Edoxaban(major)
- Rifampin + Fluconazole(major)
- Rifampin + Itraconazole(major)
- Rifampin + Ketoconazole(major)
- Rifampin + Lansoprazole(major)
- Rifampin + Phenytoin(major)
- Rifampin + Rivaroxaban(major)
- Rifampin + Ticagrelor(major)
- Rifampin + Warfarin(major)
- Rifampin + Atorvastatin(moderate)
- Rifampin + Carvedilol(moderate)
- Rifampin + Clarithromycin(moderate)
- Rifampin + Cyclosporine(moderate)
- Rifampin + Eszopiclone(moderate)
- Rifampin + Gemfibrozil(moderate)
- Rifampin + Glimepiride(moderate)
- Rifampin + Glipizide(moderate)
- Rifampin + Hydrocodone Acetaminophen(moderate)
- Rifampin + Methylprednisolone(moderate)
- Rifampin + Mirtazapine(moderate)
- Rifampin + Oxycodone(moderate)
- Rifampin + Pioglitazone(moderate)
- Rifampin + Tacrolimus(moderate)
- Rifampin + Tramadol(moderate)
- Rifampin + Zolpidem(moderate)
- Rifampin + Aripiprazole(minor)
- Rifampin + Buprenorphine Naloxone(minor)
- Rifampin + Canagliflozin(minor)
- Rifampin + Carbamazepine(minor)
- Rifampin + Carbidopa Levodopa(minor)
- Rifampin + Celecoxib(minor)
- Rifampin + Codeine(minor)
- Rifampin + Dapagliflozin(minor)
- Rifampin + Dexamethasone(minor)
- Rifampin + Diazepam(minor)
- Rifampin + Digoxin(minor)
- Rifampin + Diltiazem(minor)
- Rifampin + Enalapril(minor)
- Rifampin + Glyburide(minor)
- Rifampin + Lamotrigine(minor)
- Rifampin + Levothyroxine(minor)
- Rifampin + Liothyronine(minor)
- Rifampin + Losartan(minor)
- Rifampin + Metoprolol(minor)
- Rifampin + Morphine(minor)
- Rifampin + Nifedipine(minor)
- Rifampin + Nortriptyline(minor)
- Rifampin + Olanzapine(minor)
- Rifampin + Ondansetron(minor)
- Rifampin + Prednisolone(minor)
- Rifampin + Propranolol(minor)
- Rifampin + Quetiapine(minor)
- Rifampin + Simvastatin(minor)
- Rifampin + Tadalafil(minor)
- Rifampin + Trazodone(minor)
- Rifampin + Valproic Acid(minor)
- Rifampin + Verapamil(minor)