Ritonavir/Bupropion
This information is generalized and not intended as specific medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional before taking or discontinuing any drug or commencing any course of treatment.
Medical warning:
Moderate. These medicines may cause some risk when taken together. Contact your healthcare professional (e.g. doctor or pharmacist) for more information.
How the interaction occurs:
When these two medicines are taken together, your body may not process bupropion properly.
What might happen:
The blood levels and effects of bupropion may decrease and it may not work as well.
What you should do about this interaction:
Let your healthcare professionals (e.g. doctor or pharmacist) know that you are taking these two medicines together. Let your doctor know if your medicine does not seem to be working or working as well. They may already be aware of this drug interaction and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.,
References:
1.Norvir (ritonavir) US prescribing information. Abbott Laboratories November, 2012.
2.Wellbutrin (bupropion hydrochloride) US prescribing information. GlaxoSmithKline July, 2011.
3.Hesse LM, von Moltke LL, Shader RI, Greenblatt DJ. Ritonavir, efavirenz, and nelfinavir inhibit CYP2B6 activity in vitro: potential drug interactions with bupropion. Drug Metab Dispos 2001 Feb;29(2):100-2.
4.Hesse LM, Greenblatt DJ, von Moltke LL, Court MH. Ritonavir has minimal impact on the pharmacokinetic disposition of a single dose of bupropion administered to human volunteers. J Clin Pharmacol 2006 May;46(5):567-76.
5.Kharasch ED, Mitchell D, Coles R, Blanco R. Rapid clinical induction of hepatic cytochrome P4502B6 activity by ritonavir. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2008 May;52(5):1663-9.
