Cabotegravir and Rifabutin: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · Source data updated Aug 8, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Rifabutin
Cabotegravir
How we grade severity & evidence
Severity levels
- Contraindicated: These should generally not be used together.
- Major: Potentially serious — often needs a change or close monitoring.
- Moderate: Can be significant — usually manageable with monitoring.
- Minor: Usually limited clinical impact.
Evidence grades
- Established: Well documented — supported by controlled studies or strong clinical data.
- Probable: Good supporting evidence, though not definitively proven.
- Suspected: Some evidence suggests this interaction, but it is not well established.
- Possible: Limited or conflicting evidence; the interaction may occur.
- Theoretical: Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
Ratings come from the documented interaction literature and are reviewed by a pharmacist. They describe the documented risk of the combination, not what will necessarily happen to you — your dose, timing, and health picture all matter.
What happens
An increased risk of drug-drug interactions
Interaction Deep Dive
Coadministration of rifabutin with cabotegravir/rilpivirine prolonged-release injectable suspension is contraindicated. In a drug interaction study (N=18) rifabutin 300 mg once daily coadministered with rilpivirine 25 mg once daily resulted in reduced rilpivirine AUC, Cmin and Cmax by 42%, 48% and 31%, respectively1.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Unknown
Literature reports
1 report — tap to read
a) In a drug interaction study (N=18) rifabutin 300 mg once daily coadministered with rilpivirine 25 mg once daily resulted in reduced rilpivirine AUC, Cmin and Cmax by 42%, 48% and 31%, respectively 1.
Common questions
Can I take Cabotegravir and Rifabutin together?
An increased risk of drug-drug interactions Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Cabotegravir and Rifabutin interaction?
It is rated contraindicated. These should generally not be used together.
How quickly could this interaction happen?
The documented onset is "unspecified". The timing of this interaction is not well characterized.
How strong is the evidence for this interaction?
The evidence is graded "probable". Good supporting evidence, though not definitively proven.
Questions for your pharmacist
- Does my dose of Cabotegravir or Rifabutin need adjusting while I take them together?
- What symptoms should prompt me to call you or my prescriber right away?
- Does the timing of my doses matter for this combination?
- Is there a safer alternative to one of these medications for me?
References (1)
- Product Information: MYCOBUTIN(R) oral capsules, rifabutin oral capsules. Pharmacia & Upjohn Co (per FDA), New York, NY, 2024. DailyMed
Keep reading about Rifabutin
Keep reading about Cabotegravir
These medications also interact with supplements
Prescription drugs aren't the whole picture — herbal and dietary supplements can interact with them too. From the evidence-graded Natural Medicines database:
major · moderate · minor — check everything you take with our drug–supplement interaction checker.
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