Drug interactions
Butabarbital + Modafinil
Severity: Moderate
Butabarbital and Modafinil: 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 and a CYP3A4 inducer, which may lower modafinil concentrations and reduce its effect. The sedative and wake-promoting effects also oppose each other, making response less predictable.
What this interaction means in plain words
Butabarbital and Modafinil 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
Barbiturate induction of CYP3A4 increases modafinil clearance, with opposing CNS effects.
What to do
Monitor wakefulness and sedation, and increase the modafinil dose if efficacy is lost. Reassess if butabarbital is stopped.
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 Modafinil
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Butabarbital with Modafinil?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Butabarbital and Modafinil 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 and a CYP3A4 inducer, which may lower modafinil concentrations and reduce its effect. The sedative and wake-promoting effects also oppose each other, making response less predictable.
How serious is the interaction between Butabarbital and Modafinil?
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 wakefulness and sedation, and increase the modafinil dose if efficacy is lost. Reassess if butabarbital is stopped.
What other medicines interact with Modafinil?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Modafinil with, for example, Lenacapavir, Leniolisib, Lorlatinib. The full list is on the Modafinil page.
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