Drug interactions
Butalbital + Modafinil
Severity: Moderate
Butalbital and Modafinil: 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 sedating barbiturate while modafinil promotes wakefulness, so their effects on alertness may partly oppose each other and the net effect is unpredictable. Butalbital is also an enzyme inducer that may lower modafinil exposure over time.
What this interaction means in plain words
Butalbital and Modafinil 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
Opposing pharmacodynamic effects on arousal, plus possible CYP3A4 induction by butalbital reducing modafinil levels.
What to do
Monitor alertness and psychomotor function and watch for reduced modafinil effect. Counsel the patient not to rely on modafinil to offset butalbital sedation when driving.
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 Modafinil
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Butalbital with Modafinil?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Butalbital and Modafinil 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 sedating barbiturate while modafinil promotes wakefulness, so their effects on alertness may partly oppose each other and the net effect is unpredictable. Butalbital is also an enzyme inducer that may lower modafinil exposure over time.
How serious is the interaction between Butalbital and Modafinil?
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 alertness and psychomotor function and watch for reduced modafinil effect. Counsel the patient not to rely on modafinil to offset butalbital sedation when driving.
What other medicines interact with Modafinil?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Modafinil with, for example, Lenacapavir, Leniolisib, Lorlatinib. The full list is on the Modafinil page.
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