Drug interactions
Amiodarone + Secobarbital
Severity: Moderate
Amiodarone and Secobarbital: 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
Secobarbital may lower amiodarone concentrations and reduce its antiarrhythmic effect. Because amiodarone has a very long half-life, the change develops slowly and may be missed.
What this interaction means in plain words
Amiodarone and Secobarbital 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.
Amiodarone belongs to Cardiovascular; Secobarbital belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Barbiturates induce CYP3A4 (and other enzymes), increasing amiodarone metabolism.
What to do
Monitor heart rhythm and clinical response to amiodarone, and consider checking thyroid and rhythm control if a barbiturate is started or stopped. Prefer a non-inducing hypnotic where possible.
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
Other interactions of Secobarbital
- Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates + Secobarbital Contraindicated
- Doravirine + Secobarbital Contraindicated
- Elbasvir / grazoprevir + Secobarbital Contraindicated
- Elvitegravir / cobicistat / emtricitabine / tenofovir df + Secobarbital Contraindicated
- Isavuconazonium + Secobarbital Contraindicated
- Lonafarnib + Secobarbital Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Amiodarone with Secobarbital?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Amiodarone and Secobarbital 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. Secobarbital may lower amiodarone concentrations and reduce its antiarrhythmic effect. Because amiodarone has a very long half-life, the change develops slowly and may be missed.
How serious is the interaction between Amiodarone and Secobarbital?
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 heart rhythm and clinical response to amiodarone, and consider checking thyroid and rhythm control if a barbiturate is started or stopped. Prefer a non-inducing hypnotic where possible.
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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