Drug interactions
Butalbital + Dimenhydrinate
Severity: Moderate
Butalbital and Dimenhydrinate: 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 adding a sedating antihistamine increases drowsiness and psychomotor impairment. Heavy sedation may occur, especially with alcohol or other depressants.
What this interaction means in plain words
Butalbital and Dimenhydrinate 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 and H1 antagonism.
What to do
Monitor for excess sedation and counsel patients against driving or alcohol. Reduce the dose of one agent if drowsiness is troublesome.
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 Dimenhydrinate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Butalbital with Dimenhydrinate?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Butalbital and Dimenhydrinate 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 adding a sedating antihistamine increases drowsiness and psychomotor impairment. Heavy sedation may occur, especially with alcohol or other depressants.
How serious is the interaction between Butalbital and Dimenhydrinate?
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 excess sedation and counsel patients against driving or alcohol. Reduce the dose of one agent if drowsiness is troublesome.
What other medicines interact with Dimenhydrinate?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Dimenhydrinate with, for example, Belladonna and opium, Brexanolone, Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates. The full list is on the Dimenhydrinate page.
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