Drug interactions
Amitriptyline + Secobarbital
Severity: Moderate
Amitriptyline 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
Barbiturates induce hepatic enzymes and may lower amitriptyline levels, reducing antidepressant effect, while both drugs cause sedation. The combination may therefore cause more drowsiness yet less therapeutic benefit.
What this interaction means in plain words
Amitriptyline 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.
Amitriptyline belongs to Central Nervous System; Secobarbital belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Barbiturate-mediated hepatic enzyme induction increases amitriptyline clearance, plus additive CNS depression.
What to do
Monitor for excess sedation and for loss of antidepressant response, adjusting amitriptyline dose by clinical response. Avoid driving until the effect is known.
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 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
Other interactions of Amitriptyline
- Amitriptyline + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Methylene blue Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Procarbazine Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Safinamide Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Amitriptyline with Secobarbital?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Amitriptyline 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. Barbiturates induce hepatic enzymes and may lower amitriptyline levels, reducing antidepressant effect, while both drugs cause sedation. The combination may therefore cause more drowsiness yet less therapeutic benefit.
How serious is the interaction between Amitriptyline 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 for excess sedation and for loss of antidepressant response, adjusting amitriptyline dose by clinical response. Avoid driving until the effect is known.
What other medicines interact with Secobarbital?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Secobarbital with, for example, Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates, Doravirine, Elbasvir / grazoprevir. The full list is on the Secobarbital page.
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