Drug interactions
Butabarbital + Tizanidine
Severity: Moderate
Butabarbital and Tizanidine: 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 may induce CYP1A2 and lower tizanidine concentrations, reducing its muscle-relaxant effect. Barbiturate sedation may also add to tizanidine's CNS effects, and a change in barbiturate use could shift tizanidine levels unpredictably.
What this interaction means in plain words
Butabarbital and Tizanidine 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 hepatic enzymes, including CYP1A2, increases tizanidine clearance, alongside additive CNS depression.
What to do
Monitor for reduced spasticity control and titrate tizanidine to response. Also watch for sedation, and recheck dosing if the barbiturate is started or 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 Tizanidine
- Ciprofloxacin + Tizanidine Contraindicated
- Fluvoxamine + Tizanidine Contraindicated
- Pefloxacin + Tizanidine Contraindicated
- Pipemidic acid + Tizanidine Contraindicated
- Benzhydrocodone / acetaminophen + Tizanidine Major
- Brexanolone + Tizanidine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Butabarbital with Tizanidine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Butabarbital and Tizanidine 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 may induce CYP1A2 and lower tizanidine concentrations, reducing its muscle-relaxant effect. Barbiturate sedation may also add to tizanidine's CNS effects, and a change in barbiturate use could shift tizanidine levels unpredictably.
How serious is the interaction between Butabarbital and Tizanidine?
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 for reduced spasticity control and titrate tizanidine to response. Also watch for sedation, and recheck dosing if the barbiturate is started or stopped.
What other medicines interact with Tizanidine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Tizanidine with, for example, Ciprofloxacin, Fluvoxamine, Pefloxacin. The full list is on the Tizanidine page.
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