Drug interactions
Butabarbital + Ketamine
Severity: Moderate
Butabarbital and Ketamine: 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
Butabarbital is a barbiturate that adds to ketamine CNS depression and may cause deeper sedation and respiratory depression. Barbiturates may also induce hepatic enzymes, reducing ketamine exposure during chronic use.
What this interaction means in plain words
Butabarbital and Ketamine 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
Additive CNS depression via GABA-A potentiation plus NMDA antagonism, with possible CYP induction.
What to do
Reduce doses, titrate to effect, and monitor respiration and 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 Ketamine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Butabarbital with Ketamine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Butabarbital and Ketamine 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. Butabarbital is a barbiturate that adds to ketamine CNS depression and may cause deeper sedation and respiratory depression. Barbiturates may also induce hepatic enzymes, reducing ketamine exposure during chronic use.
How serious is the interaction between Butabarbital and Ketamine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Reduce doses, titrate to effect, and monitor respiration and sedation.
What other medicines interact with Ketamine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Ketamine with, for example, Benzhydrocodone / acetaminophen, Brexanolone, Buprenorphine buccal. The full list is on the Ketamine page.
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