Drug interactions
Butalbital + Chloral hydrate
Severity: Moderate
Butalbital and Chloral hydrate: 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
Butalbital is a barbiturate and chloral hydrate is a hypnotic, so concurrent use increases sedation and the risk of respiratory depression. Impaired alertness and psychomotor function are likely.
What this interaction means in plain words
Butalbital and Chloral hydrate 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 from two GABAergic sedatives.
What to do
Use the lowest effective doses and avoid other CNS depressants including alcohol. Monitor for excessive sedation and slowed breathing.
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 Chloral hydrate
- Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates + Chloral hydrate Contraindicated
- Chloral hydrate + Sodium oxybate Contraindicated
- Alfentanil + Chloral hydrate Major
- Alprazolam + Chloral hydrate Major
- Amobarbital + Chloral hydrate Major
- Belladonna and opium + Chloral hydrate Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Butalbital with Chloral hydrate?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Butalbital and Chloral hydrate 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. Butalbital is a barbiturate and chloral hydrate is a hypnotic, so concurrent use increases sedation and the risk of respiratory depression. Impaired alertness and psychomotor function are likely.
How serious is the interaction between Butalbital and Chloral hydrate?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Use the lowest effective doses and avoid other CNS depressants including alcohol. Monitor for excessive sedation and slowed breathing.
What other medicines interact with Chloral hydrate?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Chloral hydrate with, for example, Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates, Sodium oxybate, Alfentanil. The full list is on the Chloral hydrate page.
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