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Drug interactions

Amobarbital + Doxepin

Severity: Moderate

Amobarbital and Doxepin: 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

Doxepin is a sedating tricyclic antidepressant, and with a barbiturate it produces additive drowsiness and psychomotor impairment. The barbiturate may also induce metabolism of doxepin, reducing its antidepressant effect.

What this interaction means in plain words

Amobarbital and Doxepin 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; Doxepin belongs to Dermatology.

Evidence level: Moderate

Why it happens

Additive CNS depression, plus hepatic enzyme induction by the barbiturate increasing tricyclic clearance.

What to do

Monitor for oversedation and for loss of antidepressant response, adjusting the doxepin dose if needed. Advise against driving until the response 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?

Bring a full list of your medicines, including over-the-counter products, supplements and herbal remedies, to every pharmacy visit.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I take Amobarbital with Doxepin?

MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Amobarbital and Doxepin 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. Doxepin is a sedating tricyclic antidepressant, and with a barbiturate it produces additive drowsiness and psychomotor impairment. The barbiturate may also induce metabolism of doxepin, reducing its antidepressant effect.

How serious is the interaction between Amobarbital and Doxepin?

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 oversedation and for loss of antidepressant response, adjusting the doxepin dose if needed. Advise against driving until the response is known.

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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