Drug interactions
Amobarbital + Secobarbital
Severity: Major
Amobarbital and Secobarbital: 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
Both are barbiturates and combining them produces additive CNS and respiratory depression. This offers no therapeutic advantage and risks profound sedation or overdose.
What this interaction means in plain words
Amobarbital and Secobarbital 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; Secobarbital belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive GABA-A mediated CNS depressant effects of two barbiturates.
What to do
Avoid using two barbiturates together and use only one agent at the lowest effective dose. Monitor respiratory rate and level of consciousness if exposure occurs.
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 Secobarbital
- Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates + Secobarbital Contraindicated
- Doravirine + Secobarbital Contraindicated
- Elbasvir / grazoprevir + Secobarbital Contraindicated
- Elvitegravir / cobicistat / emtricitabine / tenofovir df + Secobarbital Contraindicated
- Isavuconazonium + Secobarbital Contraindicated
- Lonafarnib + Secobarbital Contraindicated
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 Secobarbital?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Amobarbital and Secobarbital 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. Both are barbiturates and combining them produces additive CNS and respiratory depression. This offers no therapeutic advantage and risks profound sedation or overdose.
How serious is the interaction between Amobarbital and Secobarbital?
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 using two barbiturates together and use only one agent at the lowest effective dose. Monitor respiratory rate and level of consciousness if exposure occurs.
What other medicines interact with Secobarbital?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Secobarbital with, for example, Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates, Doravirine, Elbasvir / grazoprevir. The full list is on the Secobarbital page.
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