See the DrugPatentWatch profile for Daliresp
What drug interactions does Daliresp (roflumilast) have?
Daliresp (roflumilast) can interact with other medicines that affect how the liver breaks down roflumilast or that raise the risk of overlapping side effects.
Key interaction patterns to know:
- Strong liver enzyme inducers (may lower Daliresp levels and effectiveness).
- Strong inhibitors of the same metabolic pathway (may raise Daliresp levels and side-effect risk).
- Tobacco smoking (can change roflumilast exposure, often reducing it).
- Other drugs that also cause gastrointestinal upset or weight loss (can add on to Daliresp’s common effects).
Which medications can lower Daliresp levels (and make it less effective)?
Medicines that strongly induce liver enzymes can reduce roflumilast blood levels. When roflumilast levels drop, symptom control may worsen.
This interaction is clinically important with:
- Strong CYP inducers (commonly including some anti-seizure medicines and certain rifamycin antibiotics—examples depend on the exact drug).
If you tell me the specific medication(s) you take, I can help map whether they’re the kind that typically induce enzymes and could reduce Daliresp exposure.
What medications can increase Daliresp levels (raising side-effect risk)?
Drugs that strongly inhibit the liver enzymes that metabolize roflumilast can increase its exposure. Higher exposure increases the chance of side effects such as:
- diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain
- weight loss
- headache or dizziness
Again, the exact risk depends on the specific inhibitor medication and dose.
How does smoking affect Daliresp?
Smoking can affect roflumilast exposure. This can change how well Daliresp works for some people, so changes in smoking habits (starting, stopping, or heavy reduction) are worth flagging to your prescriber.
Do Daliresp interactions overlap with common COPD side effects?
Daliresp commonly causes gastrointestinal symptoms and can lead to weight loss. Interactions matter most when combined with other medications that also:
- upset the stomach (or commonly cause diarrhea/nausea)
- contribute to appetite suppression or weight loss
- cause nervous system side effects (some CNS-active drugs)
Your clinician may adjust monitoring or consider alternatives if you’re already prone to weight loss or persistent diarrhea.
Any important interaction concerns for specific patient groups?
- Low body weight or recent unexplained weight loss: Daliresp may worsen weight loss, and adding other contributing factors (including interacting meds) raises risk.
- People with significant GI disease: drug combinations that increase GI irritation may be more problematic.
- Patients taking multiple chronic meds: the risk of accidental overlap is higher, so a full medication review matters.
What should you do if you’re starting or stopping another medicine?
- Don’t stop Daliresp suddenly without guidance.
- Ask your prescriber or pharmacist whether the new medicine is a strong enzyme inducer or inhibitor and whether it changes monitoring (weight, GI symptoms, symptom control).
- If you have worsening diarrhea, significant nausea/vomiting, or unintended weight loss, contact your clinician promptly.
If you share your current meds, can you check the interaction?
List the exact names (and doses if possible) of:
1) all prescriptions,
2) over-the-counter drugs (including antacids/laxatives),
3) supplements/herbals, and
4) whether you smoke or recently changed smoking habits.
Then I’ll flag the interaction risks specifically related to Daliresp.