Drug interactions
Amobarbital + Esketamine
Severity: Major
Amobarbital and Esketamine: 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 are potent CNS depressants, and combining them with esketamine increases the risk of profound sedation and respiratory depression. Barbiturate use can also reduce the intended antidepressant effect.
What this interaction means in plain words
Amobarbital and Esketamine 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; Esketamine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS and respiratory depression via NMDA antagonism and GABA-A potentiation.
What to do
Avoid the combination where possible; if unavoidable, monitor sedation, oxygen saturation and respiration closely through the observation period.
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 Esketamine
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 Esketamine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Amobarbital and Esketamine 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 are potent CNS depressants, and combining them with esketamine increases the risk of profound sedation and respiratory depression. Barbiturate use can also reduce the intended antidepressant effect.
How serious is the interaction between Amobarbital and Esketamine?
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 the combination where possible; if unavoidable, monitor sedation, oxygen saturation and respiration closely through the observation period.
What other medicines interact with Esketamine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Esketamine with, for example, Alfentanil, Belladonna and opium, Benzhydrocodone / acetaminophen. The full list is on the Esketamine page.
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