Rezdiffra (resmetirom) has potential interactions with other medications. These interactions could affect how well the drug works or cause harmful effects.
Rezdiffra is used in adults to treat nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in certain situations, along with diet and exercise. NASH involves a buildup of fat in your liver that can cause inflammation and scarring. NASH is now called metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH).
An interaction can occur because one substance causes another substance to have a different effect than expected. Interactions can also occur if you have certain health conditions. Keep reading to learn about Rezdiffra’s possible interactions.
Before you start taking Rezdiffra, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any prescription, over-the-counter, or other drugs you take. Sharing this information with them may help prevent possible interactions.
To learn whether Rezdiffra interacts with herbs, vitamins, or supplements, see the “Are there other interactions with Rezdiffra?” section.
If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
The following table lists drugs that may interact with Rezdiffra. Keep in mind this table does not include all drugs that may interact with Rezdiffra. For more information about some of these interactions, see the “Drug interactions explained” section.
| Drug group or drug name | Drug examples | What can happen |
|---|---|---|
| gemfibrozil (Lopid) | — | can increase the risk of side effects from Rezdiffra |
| cyclosporine (Gengraf, Sandimmune, others) | — | can increase the risk of side effects from Rezdiffra |
| clopidogrel (Plavix) | — | can increase the risk of side effects from Rezdiffra |
| certain statins | • atorvastatin (Lipitor) • pravastatin • rosuvastatin (Crestor) • simvastatin (Zocor, Flolipid) | can increase the risk of side effects from statins |
| pioglitazone (Actos) | — | can increase the risk of side effects from pioglitazone |
Rezdiffra is not known to interact with alcohol.
However, experts recommend limiting or avoiding alcohol when you have NASH (the condition that Rezdiffra is used to treat).
If you have questions about consuming alcohol while taking Rezdiffra, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Learn more about certain drug interactions that can occur with Rezdiffra.
Interaction with certain statins
Rezdiffra can interact with certain statin drugs. Statins are commonly used to treat high cholesterol. Taking these medications together can increase the risk of statin side effects, such as muscle problems.
The following statins may interact with Rezdiffra:
- atorvastatin (Lipitor)
- pravastatin
- rosuvastatin (Crestor)
- simvastatin (Zocor, Flolipid)
What you can do
If you take Rezdiffra with these statins, your doctor may prescribe a lower dosage of the statin medication you take. You should not take a higher dose of either medication than your doctor prescribes.
If you take Rezdiffra and a statin together, tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms of muscle problems. These may include muscle pain, cramping, or weakness.
If you have questions about taking Rezdiffra with statins, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Interaction with clopidogrel (Plavix)
Rezdiffra can interact with clopidogrel (Plavix). Clopidogrel is commonly used to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in certain people. Taking these medications together can increase the risk of Rezdiffra side effects.
What you can do
If you take Rezdiffra with clopidogrel, your doctor may prescribe a dosage of Rezdiffra that’s lower than usual. You should not take a higher dose of either medication than your doctor prescribes.
If you take Rezdiffra and clopidogrel together, tell your doctor right away if you have new or worsening side effects of Rezdiffra. Common side effects may include diarrhea, nausea, or itchiness.
If you have questions about taking Rezdiffra with clopidogrel, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Interaction with gemfibrozil (Lopid)
Rezdiffra can interact with gemfibrozil (Lopid). Gemfibrozil is commonly used to lower triglycerides, a type of fat in the blood. Taking these medications together is not recommended due to an increased risk of Rezdiffra side effects.
What you can do
If you take gemfibrozil, tell your doctor before you start taking Rezdiffra. Your doctor may prescribe a different medication instead of gemfibrozil or Rezdiffra.
Rezdiffra may have other interactions. They could occur with supplements, foods, vaccines, or even lab tests.
Here are additional interactions that may occur with Rezdiffra. Note that this is not a full list of all other possible interactions with Rezdiffra.
Does Rezdiffra interact with supplements?
Before you start taking Rezdiffra, talk with your doctor and pharmacist about any herbs, vitamins, or supplements you take. Sharing this information with them may help you avoid possible interactions.
If you have questions about interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Rezdiffra interactions with herbs
There are currently no reports of Rezdiffra interacting with herbs. But this doesn’t mean that interactions with herbs won’t be recognized in the future.
For this reason, it’s important to check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products while taking Rezdiffra.
Rezdiffra interactions with vitamins
There are currently no reports of Rezdiffra interacting with vitamins. But this doesn’t mean that vitamin interactions won’t be recognized in the future.
For this reason, it’s important to check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products while taking Rezdiffra.
Does Rezdiffra interact with food?
There are currently no reports of Rezdiffra interacting with food. You can take it with or without food.
If you have questions about eating certain foods during your treatment with Rezdiffra, talk with your doctor.
Does Rezdiffra interact with vaccines?
There are currently no reports of Rezdiffra interacting with vaccines. If you have questions about getting certain vaccines during your Rezdiffra treatment, talk with your doctor.
Does Rezdiffra interact with lab tests?
There are currently no reports of Rezdiffra interacting with lab tests. If you have questions about having certain lab tests during your treatment with Rezdiffra, talk with the healthcare professional ordering the test.
Does Rezdiffra interact with cannabis or CBD?There are currently no reports of Rezdiffra interacting with cannabis (commonly called marijuana) or cannabis products such as cannabidiol (CBD). But interactions are still possible, even if none have been specifically reported.
Before you start treatment with Rezdiffra, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you use cannabis. By sharing this information with them, you may help prevent possible interactions.
Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level but is legal in many states to varying degrees.
Certain medical conditions or other health factors may raise the risk of interactions with Rezdiffra. Before taking Rezdiffra, talk with your doctor about your health history. They’ll determine whether Rezdiffra is right for you.
Health conditions or other factors that might interact with Rezdiffra include:
Liver problems (other than NASH/MASH): If you have moderate or severe liver problems, such as decompensated cirrhosis, your doctor may not prescribe Rezdiffra for you. Such problems may increase your risk of side effects from Rezdiffra.
Gallbladder problems: Rezdiffra may cause gallbladder problems, including gallstones. Tell your doctor if you already have gallbladder problems. Taking Rezdiffra could worsen your condition.
Pregnancy: It’s not known whether Rezdiffra is safe to take during pregnancy. If you’re pregnant or may become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking Rezdiffra.
Breastfeeding: It’s not known whether it’s safe to take Rezdiffra while breastfeeding. It also isn’t known whether the drug passes into breast milk. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, talk with your doctor about your options.
Allergic reaction: If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Rezdiffra or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Rezdiffra. This is because taking the drug could cause another allergic reaction. You can ask your doctor about other treatments that may be better for you.
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Rezdiffra and possible interactions.
Should I take vitamin E for NASH while taking Rezdiffra?
There are no known interactions between vitamin E and Rezdiffra. However, vitamin E is not recommended as a treatment for NASH, which is now called MASH.
That said, vitamin E may still be appropriate for certain people with NASH. So, any decision to take it with Rezdiffra should be made carefully and on a case-by-case basis.
Talk with your doctor before starting vitamin E or any supplement while taking Rezdiffra. They can help you weigh the risks and benefits based on your individual health needs.
Is it beneficial to take an omega-3 fatty acid supplement with Rezdiffra for NASH?
There are no known interactions between omega-3 fatty acid supplements (such as fish oil) and Rezdiffra. However, omega-3 fatty acid supplements are not recommended as a treatment for NASH (also called MASH).
Still, eating a balanced diet that includes fish and other sources of omega-3 fatty acids is encouraged for overall health. These foods can be part of a liver-friendly diet.
Talk with your doctor before taking omega-3 supplements with Rezdiffra. They can help you decide what’s safe and appropriate.
Taking certain steps can help you avoid interactions with Rezdiffra. Before starting treatment, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Things to discuss with them include:
- whether you drink alcohol or use cannabis
- the
list of medications you take, as well as any vitamins, supplements, and herbs - what to do if you start taking a new drug during your Rezdiffra treatment
It’s also important to understand Rezdiffra’s
If you did not get paperwork with Rezdiffra, ask your pharmacist to print a copy for you. If you have trouble reading or understanding this information, your doctor or pharmacist can help.
Taking Rezdiffra exactly as prescribed can also help prevent interactions.
Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.