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What the FDA labels say about taking them together

Rifampin and tramadol

Tramadol's FDA label of March 5, 2026 names rifampin in its drug interactions section; the rifampin label PlainMeds reads does not name tramadol. The tramadol label: “The concomitant use of Tramadol Hydrochloride Extended-Release Capsules and CYP3A4 inducers can decrease the plasma concentration of tramadol, resulting in decreased efficacy or onset of a withdrawal syndrome in …”

Check it at the source: the rifampin FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 11, 2026, Lupin Pharmaceuticals, Inc.); the tramadol FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 5, 2026, Lupin Pharmaceuticals, Inc.).

What does the rifampin label say about tramadol?

Rifampin's label (effective February 11, 2026) does not name tramadol in these sections. A label lists what its studies and reports found; it is not a complete list.

Source: FDA drug label (rifampin), Lupin Pharmaceuticals, Inc., effective February 11, 2026 (SPL set b56004f0-f23d-47f6-80c7-39884fccbccc), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed

What does the tramadol label say about rifampin?

Tramadol label, drug interactions

CYP3A4 Inducers Clinical Impact: The concomitant use of tramadol hydrochloride extended-release tablets and CYP3A4 inducers can decrease the plasma concentration of tramadol, resulting in decreased efficacy or onset of a withdrawal syndrome in patients who have developed physical dependence to tramadol,. … administration of tramadol hydrochloride extended-release tablets and carbamazepine is not recommended. Examples: Rifampin, carbamazepine, phenytoin

Tramadol label, warnings and precautions

Cytochrome P450 3A4 Interaction The concomitant use of tramadol hydrochloride extended-release tablets with cytochrome P450 3A4 inhibitors, such as macrolide antibiotics (e.g., erythromycin), azole-antifungal agents (e.g., ketoconazole), and protease inhibitors (e.g., ritonavir) or discontinuation of a cytochrome P450 3A4 inducer such as rifampin, carbamazepine, and phenytoin, may result in an increase in tramadol plasma concentrations, which could increase or prolong adverse reactions, increase the risk for serious adverse events including seizures and serotonin syndrome, and may cause potentially fatal respiratory depression.

Source: FDA drug label (Tramadol Hydrochloride Extended-Release, NDA022370), Trigen Laboratories, LLC, effective January 23, 2026 (SPL set c0bc7218-3fd0-4646-96f4-25355fc84aa9), via openFDA

Source: FDA drug label (TRAMADOL HYDROCHLORIDE), Lupin Pharmaceuticals, Inc., effective March 5, 2026 (SPL set 46bb9ae6-3ee8-463c-badb-c7a45a89b84b), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed

These are the labels' own sentences. PlainMeds does not grade interactions; a pharmacist or prescriber can say what they mean for one person's medicines.

Both medicines on the record

13Rifampin generic labelers
39Tramadol generic labelers
RifampinTramadol
Labeled forn/aPain
Boxed warningNoYes
Pharmacy cost (NADAC)$0.679 per capsule 300 mg capsule$0.0248 per tablet 50 mg tablet
Shortage nowIn shortageNo current entry

Source: FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026 and the FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)

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