Drug interactions
Amobarbital + Butorphanol
Severity: Major
Amobarbital and Butorphanol: major 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 and opioids together can cause deep sedation, respiratory depression, coma and death. The risk is greatest at higher doses and in frail or opioid-naive patients.
What this interaction means in plain words
Amobarbital and Butorphanol can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Amobarbital belongs to Central Nervous System; Butorphanol belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive CNS and respiratory depression via opioid receptors and enhanced GABA-A activity.
What to do
Avoid if possible; if both are required, use reduced doses with close monitoring of respiratory rate and level of consciousness.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
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Other interactions of Butorphanol
- Butorphanol + Olanzapine / samidorphan Contraindicated
- Butorphanol + Sodium oxybate Contraindicated
- Alfentanil + Butorphanol Major
- Alprazolam + Butorphanol Major
- Alvimopan + Butorphanol Major
- Belladonna and opium + Butorphanol Major
Other interactions of Amobarbital
- Amobarbital + Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates Contraindicated
- Amobarbital + Doravirine Contraindicated
- Amobarbital + Elbasvir / grazoprevir Contraindicated
- Amobarbital + Isavuconazonium Contraindicated
- Amobarbital + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Amobarbital + Lonafarnib Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Amobarbital with Butorphanol?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Amobarbital and Butorphanol can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Barbiturates and opioids together can cause deep sedation, respiratory depression, coma and death. The risk is greatest at higher doses and in frail or opioid-naive patients.
How serious is the interaction between Amobarbital and Butorphanol?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid if possible; if both are required, use reduced doses with close monitoring of respiratory rate and level of consciousness.
What other medicines interact with Butorphanol?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Butorphanol with, for example, Olanzapine / samidorphan, Sodium oxybate, Alfentanil. The full list is on the Butorphanol page.
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