Drug interactions
Amiodarone + Butabarbital
Severity: Moderate
Amiodarone and Butabarbital: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Barbiturates induce CYP3A4 and other enzymes, which can lower amiodarone and desethylamiodarone concentrations. This may reduce antiarrhythmic efficacy and allow arrhythmia recurrence.
What this interaction means in plain words
Amiodarone and Butabarbital can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Why it happens
Butabarbital induces CYP3A4 (and other hepatic enzymes), increasing amiodarone metabolism.
What to do
Monitor for loss of arrhythmia control and consider checking amiodarone levels or ECG. Adjust the amiodarone dose or choose a non-inducing sedative if needed.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Amiodarone
- Amiodarone + Amisulpride Contraindicated
- Amiodarone + Arsenic trioxide Contraindicated
- Amiodarone + Dofetilide Contraindicated
- Amiodarone + Dronedarone Contraindicated
- Amiodarone + Droperidol Contraindicated
- Amiodarone + Eliglustat Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Amiodarone with Butabarbital?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Amiodarone and Butabarbital can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Barbiturates induce CYP3A4 and other enzymes, which can lower amiodarone and desethylamiodarone concentrations. This may reduce antiarrhythmic efficacy and allow arrhythmia recurrence.
How serious is the interaction between Amiodarone and Butabarbital?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor for loss of arrhythmia control and consider checking amiodarone levels or ECG. Adjust the amiodarone dose or choose a non-inducing sedative if needed.
What other medicines interact with Amiodarone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Amiodarone with, for example, Amisulpride, Arsenic trioxide, Dofetilide. The full list is on the Amiodarone page.
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