Drug interactions
Buspirone + Primidone
Severity: Moderate
Buspirone and Primidone: 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
Primidone is metabolized to phenobarbital, an enzyme inducer, and may reduce buspirone concentrations and its effect. The two drugs may also add to sedation.
What this interaction means in plain words
Buspirone and Primidone 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.
Buspirone belongs to Central Nervous System; Primidone belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Primidone and its metabolite phenobarbital induce CYP3A4, increasing buspirone clearance.
What to do
Monitor anxiolytic response and increase the buspirone dose if needed. Reduce the dose if primidone is discontinued.
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
Other interactions of Primidone
- Lorlatinib + Primidone Contraindicated
- Lurasidone + Primidone Contraindicated
- Primidone + Ranolazine Contraindicated
- Primidone + Sofosbuvir-velpatasvir-voxilaprevir Contraindicated
- Primidone + Voriconazole Contraindicated
- Abiraterone + Primidone Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Buspirone with Primidone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Buspirone and Primidone 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. Primidone is metabolized to phenobarbital, an enzyme inducer, and may reduce buspirone concentrations and its effect. The two drugs may also add to sedation.
How serious is the interaction between Buspirone and Primidone?
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 anxiolytic response and increase the buspirone dose if needed. Reduce the dose if primidone is discontinued.
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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