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Drug interactions

Butabarbital + Chloramphenicol

Severity: Moderate

Butabarbital and Chloramphenicol: 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

Chloramphenicol can inhibit barbiturate metabolism, prolonging sedation. Barbiturates in turn induce enzymes and may lower chloramphenicol concentrations, risking treatment failure.

What this interaction means in plain words

Butabarbital and Chloramphenicol 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.

Evidence level: Moderate

Why it happens

Chloramphenicol inhibits hepatic metabolism of barbiturates while barbiturates induce hepatic enzymes that clear chloramphenicol.

What to do

Monitor sedation and, if possible, chloramphenicol serum concentrations; adjust doses of both drugs accordingly.

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?

Bring a full list of your medicines, including over-the-counter products, supplements and herbal remedies, to every pharmacy visit.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I take Butabarbital with Chloramphenicol?

MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Butabarbital and Chloramphenicol 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. Chloramphenicol can inhibit barbiturate metabolism, prolonging sedation. Barbiturates in turn induce enzymes and may lower chloramphenicol concentrations, risking treatment failure.

How serious is the interaction between Butabarbital and Chloramphenicol?

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 sedation and, if possible, chloramphenicol serum concentrations; adjust doses of both drugs accordingly.

What other medicines interact with Chloramphenicol?

MediHelp also lists interactions of Chloramphenicol with, for example, Adagrasib, Avapritinib, Bcg vaccine live. The full list is on the Chloramphenicol page.

Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app

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