Does Valproic Acid Interact with Rufinamide?
CDI records a moderate classification for Valproic Acid and Rufinamide. The stored summary is: Patients stabilized on rufinamide should begin valproate therapy at a low dose and titrate to clinically effective dose. Patients taking both medications should consult their healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing the dosage of either drug. This record was extracted from drug labeling through openFDA. NIH/NLM RxNorm is used for drug identities. The summary and severity classification are CDI's processed information, not a verbatim source quotation. Product, route, and patient circumstances matter.
- Severity
- Moderate
- Valproic Acid Class
- Anti-epileptic Agent
- Management
- Monitor for effects
- Data Source
- U.S. FDA via OpenFDA
What To Tell Your Doctor or Pharmacist
If you are taking Valproic Acid and your doctor is considering prescribing Rufinamide (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