Drug interactions
Buprenorphine transdermal + Secobarbital
Severity: Major
Buprenorphine transdermal 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
Concurrent use raises the risk of profound sedation and respiratory depression. Enzyme induction by the barbiturate may also reduce buprenorphine levels, risking withdrawal or poor analgesia, which can reverse when the barbiturate is stopped.
What this interaction means in plain words
Buprenorphine transdermal 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.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression plus CYP3A4 induction increasing buprenorphine clearance.
What to do
Avoid if possible; otherwise monitor sedation, respiration, and analgesic response, and adjust the buprenorphine dose when secobarbital is started or stopped.
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
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Buprenorphine transdermal with Secobarbital?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Buprenorphine transdermal 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. Concurrent use raises the risk of profound sedation and respiratory depression. Enzyme induction by the barbiturate may also reduce buprenorphine levels, risking withdrawal or poor analgesia, which can reverse when the barbiturate is stopped.
How serious is the interaction between Buprenorphine transdermal 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 if possible; otherwise monitor sedation, respiration, and analgesic response, and adjust the buprenorphine dose when secobarbital is started or stopped.
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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