Drug interactions
Amobarbital + Nortriptyline
Severity: Moderate
Amobarbital and Nortriptyline: 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
Combined use increases sedation and CNS depression. Barbiturates can also induce nortriptyline metabolism, lowering its levels and antidepressant effect, while tricyclics lower the seizure threshold.
What this interaction means in plain words
Amobarbital and Nortriptyline 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; Nortriptyline belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression plus barbiturate induction of hepatic enzymes, including CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 pathways, that metabolize nortriptyline.
What to do
Monitor sedation and clinical response, and consider checking nortriptyline serum levels. Adjust the dose if response is reduced.
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 Nortriptyline
- Disopyramide + Nortriptyline Contraindicated
- Dofetilide + Nortriptyline Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Nortriptyline Contraindicated
- Ibutilide + Nortriptyline Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Nortriptyline Contraindicated
- Methylene blue + Nortriptyline Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Amobarbital with Nortriptyline?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Amobarbital and Nortriptyline 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. Combined use increases sedation and CNS depression. Barbiturates can also induce nortriptyline metabolism, lowering its levels and antidepressant effect, while tricyclics lower the seizure threshold.
How serious is the interaction between Amobarbital and Nortriptyline?
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 sedation and clinical response, and consider checking nortriptyline serum levels. Adjust the dose if response is reduced.
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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