Drug interactions
Butabarbital + Cyclosporin
Severity: Major
Butabarbital and Cyclosporin: 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
Barbiturates induce CYP3A4 and can lower cyclosporine concentrations substantially. This may lead to subtherapeutic immunosuppression and rejection or disease flare.
What this interaction means in plain words
Butabarbital and Cyclosporin 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
Butabarbital induces hepatic and intestinal CYP3A4, increasing cyclosporine metabolism.
What to do
Avoid the combination where possible and choose a non-inducing sedative. If it is used, monitor cyclosporine trough levels and increase the dose as needed, and reassess after stopping the barbiturate.
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 Cyclosporin
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Cyclosporin Contraindicated
- Aliskiren + Cyclosporin Contraindicated
- Bcg vaccine live + Cyclosporin Contraindicated
- Bosentan + Cyclosporin Contraindicated
- Cidofovir + Cyclosporin Contraindicated
- Cyclosporin + Dengue vaccine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Butabarbital with Cyclosporin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Butabarbital and Cyclosporin 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. Barbiturates induce CYP3A4 and can lower cyclosporine concentrations substantially. This may lead to subtherapeutic immunosuppression and rejection or disease flare.
How serious is the interaction between Butabarbital and Cyclosporin?
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 the combination where possible and choose a non-inducing sedative. If it is used, monitor cyclosporine trough levels and increase the dose as needed, and reassess after stopping the barbiturate.
What other medicines interact with Cyclosporin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Cyclosporin with, for example, Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live, Aliskiren, Bcg vaccine live. The full list is on the Cyclosporin page.
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