Drug interactions
Buspirone + Phenobarbital
Severity: Moderate
Buspirone and Phenobarbital: 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
Phenobarbital is an enzyme inducer and can reduce buspirone exposure, so the anxiolytic effect may be lost. The two drugs also have additive sedative effects.
What this interaction means in plain words
Buspirone and Phenobarbital 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
Phenobarbital induces CYP3A4, increasing buspirone metabolism, with additive CNS depression.
What to do
Assess response to buspirone and raise the dose if needed. Reduce the dose again if phenobarbital is stopped, and watch for sedation.
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 Buspirone
- Buspirone + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Buspirone + Linezolid Contraindicated
- Buspirone + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Buspirone + Procarbazine Contraindicated
- Buspirone + Selegiline Contraindicated
- Buspirone + Selegiline transdermal Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Buspirone with Phenobarbital?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Buspirone and Phenobarbital 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. Phenobarbital is an enzyme inducer and can reduce buspirone exposure, so the anxiolytic effect may be lost. The two drugs also have additive sedative effects.
How serious is the interaction between Buspirone and Phenobarbital?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Assess response to buspirone and raise the dose if needed. Reduce the dose again if phenobarbital is stopped, and watch for sedation.
What other medicines interact with Buspirone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Buspirone with, for example, Isocarboxazid, Linezolid, Phenelzine. The full list is on the Buspirone page.
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