Drug interactions
Butabarbital + Zaleplon
Severity: Moderate
Butabarbital and Zaleplon: 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 sedative barbiturate that may induce enzymes and lower zaleplon levels slightly. More importantly, the two drugs add sedative and respiratory depressant effects.
What this interaction means in plain words
Butabarbital and Zaleplon 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 pharmacodynamic CNS depression, with minor enzyme induction affecting zaleplon clearance.
What to do
Avoid concurrent use of the two sedatives if possible; if combined, monitor for oversedation and respiratory depression.
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 Zaleplon
- Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates + Zaleplon Contraindicated
- Sodium oxybate + Zaleplon Contraindicated
- Brexanolone + Zaleplon Major
- Buprenorphine long-acting + Zaleplon Major
- Buprenorphine subdermal implant + Zaleplon Major
- Buprenorphine transdermal + Zaleplon Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Butabarbital with Zaleplon?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Butabarbital and Zaleplon 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 sedative barbiturate that may induce enzymes and lower zaleplon levels slightly. More importantly, the two drugs add sedative and respiratory depressant effects.
How serious is the interaction between Butabarbital and Zaleplon?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid concurrent use of the two sedatives if possible; if combined, monitor for oversedation and respiratory depression.
What other medicines interact with Zaleplon?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Zaleplon with, for example, Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates, Sodium oxybate, Brexanolone. The full list is on the Zaleplon page.
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