Drug interactions
Amobarbital + Diphenhydramine
Severity: Moderate
Amobarbital and Diphenhydramine: 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
Combining a barbiturate with diphenhydramine increases sedation and impairs alertness and coordination. Older adults are at higher risk of confusion and falls.
What this interaction means in plain words
Amobarbital and Diphenhydramine 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.
Amobarbital belongs to Central Nervous System; Diphenhydramine belongs to Respiratory.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression via GABAergic enhancement and central H1 antagonism.
What to do
Avoid additional sedatives and alcohol, and reduce doses in older adults. Consider a non-sedating antihistamine.
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 Amobarbital
- Amobarbital + Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates Contraindicated
- Amobarbital + Doravirine Contraindicated
- Amobarbital + Elbasvir / grazoprevir Contraindicated
- Amobarbital + Isavuconazonium Contraindicated
- Amobarbital + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Amobarbital + Lonafarnib Contraindicated
Other interactions of Diphenhydramine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Amobarbital with Diphenhydramine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Amobarbital and Diphenhydramine 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. Combining a barbiturate with diphenhydramine increases sedation and impairs alertness and coordination. Older adults are at higher risk of confusion and falls.
How serious is the interaction between Amobarbital and Diphenhydramine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid additional sedatives and alcohol, and reduce doses in older adults. Consider a non-sedating antihistamine.
What other medicines interact with Amobarbital?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Amobarbital with, for example, Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates, Doravirine, Elbasvir / grazoprevir. The full list is on the Amobarbital page.
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