Drug interactions
Butabarbital + Diphenoxylate-atropine
Severity: Major
Butabarbital and Diphenoxylate-atropine: 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
Butabarbital is a barbiturate sedative-hypnotic, and combining it with an opioid like diphenoxylate increases the risk of profound sedation and respiratory depression. The risk is greater at high doses or in older or debilitated patients.
What this interaction means in plain words
Butabarbital and Diphenoxylate-atropine 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 and respiratory depression from barbiturate GABA-A potentiation and opioid receptor agonism.
What to do
Avoid combination where possible; if used, give the lowest effective doses and monitor sedation and respiratory rate. Warn against driving and alcohol.
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 Diphenoxylate-atropine
- Diphenoxylate-atropine + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Diphenoxylate-atropine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Diphenoxylate-atropine + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
- Alfentanil + Diphenoxylate-atropine Major
- Alvimopan + Diphenoxylate-atropine Major
- Amitriptyline + Diphenoxylate-atropine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Butabarbital with Diphenoxylate-atropine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Butabarbital and Diphenoxylate-atropine 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. Butabarbital is a barbiturate sedative-hypnotic, and combining it with an opioid like diphenoxylate increases the risk of profound sedation and respiratory depression. The risk is greater at high doses or in older or debilitated patients.
How serious is the interaction between Butabarbital and Diphenoxylate-atropine?
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 combination where possible; if used, give the lowest effective doses and monitor sedation and respiratory rate. Warn against driving and alcohol.
What other medicines interact with Diphenoxylate-atropine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Diphenoxylate-atropine with, for example, Isocarboxazid, Phenelzine, Tranylcypromine. The full list is on the Diphenoxylate-atropine page.
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