Drug interactions
Amobarbital + Lorazepam
Severity: Major
Amobarbital and Lorazepam: 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
Combining a benzodiazepine with a barbiturate produces marked additive CNS and respiratory depression, with a risk of profound sedation, coma or death. Barbiturates may also change benzodiazepine exposure through enzyme induction.
What this interaction means in plain words
Amobarbital and Lorazepam 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; Lorazepam belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive GABA-A mediated CNS depression, with barbiturate enzyme induction affecting drug clearance.
What to do
Avoid the combination unless clearly needed. If used, give reduced doses with continuous monitoring of sedation level, respiration and oxygen saturation.
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 Lorazepam
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 Lorazepam?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Amobarbital and Lorazepam 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. Combining a benzodiazepine with a barbiturate produces marked additive CNS and respiratory depression, with a risk of profound sedation, coma or death. Barbiturates may also change benzodiazepine exposure through enzyme induction.
How serious is the interaction between Amobarbital and Lorazepam?
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 unless clearly needed. If used, give reduced doses with continuous monitoring of sedation level, respiration and oxygen saturation.
What other medicines interact with Lorazepam?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Lorazepam with, for example, Alfentanil, Alprazolam, Baclofen. The full list is on the Lorazepam page.
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