Does Praziquantel Interact with Ritonavir?
Praziquantel and Ritonavir have a moderate drug interaction according to U.S. FDA drug labeling data. Concomitant administration of a Moderate CYP 3A inducer, such as efavirenz, should be avoided unless the benefit outweighs the risks [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) .] 7.2 CYP450 Inhibitors Concomitant administration of drugs that decrease the activity of drug metabolizing liver enzymes (CYP450 inhibitors), for example, cimetidine, ketoconazole, itraconazole, erythromycin, and ritonavir may increase plasma concentrations of praziquantel. Patients taking both medications should consult their healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing the dosage of either drug. This information is based on official FDA drug labeling sourced from OpenFDA and the NIH National Library of Medicine.
- Severity
- Moderate
- Praziquantel Class
- Anthelmintic
- Ritonavir Class
- Cytochrome P450 3A Inhibitor
- Management
- Monitor for effects
- Data Source
- U.S. FDA via OpenFDA
What To Tell Your Doctor or Pharmacist
If you are taking Praziquantel and your doctor is considering prescribing Ritonavir (or vice versa), make sure to:
- Inform your doctor and pharmacist of all current medications, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements
- Ask whether the benefits of combining these medications outweigh the risks for your specific situation
- Ask what symptoms to watch for that would indicate the interaction is causing problems
- Ask whether any dosage adjustments are needed
- Never stop or change either medication without first consulting your healthcare provider