Drug interactions
Butalbital + Esketamine
Severity: Moderate
Butalbital and Esketamine: 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 can add to esketamine sedation, dizziness and impaired psychomotor function. Respiratory depression is more likely when other sedatives or opioids, often found in butalbital combinations, are used.
What this interaction means in plain words
Butalbital and Esketamine 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 through pharmacodynamic synergism.
What to do
Avoid butalbital on esketamine treatment days when possible and monitor sedation and respiratory status during the post-dose observation period.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Butalbital and Esketamine, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Esketamine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Butalbital with Esketamine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Butalbital and Esketamine 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 can add to esketamine sedation, dizziness and impaired psychomotor function. Respiratory depression is more likely when other sedatives or opioids, often found in butalbital combinations, are used.
How serious is the interaction between Butalbital and Esketamine?
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 butalbital on esketamine treatment days when possible and monitor sedation and respiratory status during the post-dose observation period.
What other medicines interact with Esketamine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Esketamine with, for example, Alfentanil, Amobarbital, Belladonna and opium. The full list is on the Esketamine page.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
