Drug interactions
Armodafinil + Pentobarbital
Severity: Moderate
Armodafinil and Pentobarbital: 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
Pentobarbital is a sedative barbiturate and armodafinil promotes wakefulness, so their effects oppose each other. Pentobarbital is also a CYP3A4 inducer that may lower armodafinil levels and thus reduce its efficacy.
What this interaction means in plain words
Armodafinil and Pentobarbital 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.
Why it happens
Opposing central effects, plus barbiturate induction of CYP3A4 increasing armodafinil clearance.
What to do
Monitor for loss of wakefulness benefit and for residual sedation. Adjust armodafinil dose if efficacy 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 Armodafinil
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Armodafinil with Pentobarbital?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Armodafinil and Pentobarbital 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. Pentobarbital is a sedative barbiturate and armodafinil promotes wakefulness, so their effects oppose each other. Pentobarbital is also a CYP3A4 inducer that may lower armodafinil levels and thus reduce its efficacy.
How serious is the interaction between Armodafinil and Pentobarbital?
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 loss of wakefulness benefit and for residual sedation. Adjust armodafinil dose if efficacy is reduced.
What other medicines interact with Armodafinil?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Armodafinil with, for example, Avapritinib, Elacestrant, Elbasvir / grazoprevir. The full list is on the Armodafinil page.
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