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Drug interactions

Butalbital + Timolol

Severity: Moderate

Butalbital and Timolol: 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 that induces hepatic enzymes and may lower timolol concentrations. Reduced beta-blockade could weaken blood pressure and heart rate control.

What this interaction means in plain words

Butalbital and Timolol 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.

Evidence level: Low

Why it happens

Barbiturate-mediated induction of hepatic metabolism increases timolol clearance.

What to do

Monitor heart rate and blood pressure, particularly with frequent butalbital use, and adjust the timolol dose if control worsens.

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?

Bring a full list of your medicines, including over-the-counter products, supplements and herbal remedies, to every pharmacy visit.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I take Butalbital with Timolol?

MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Butalbital and Timolol 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 that induces hepatic enzymes and may lower timolol concentrations. Reduced beta-blockade could weaken blood pressure and heart rate control.

How serious is the interaction between Butalbital and Timolol?

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 heart rate and blood pressure, particularly with frequent butalbital use, and adjust the timolol dose if control worsens.

What other medicines interact with Timolol?

MediHelp also lists interactions of Timolol with, for example, Acebutolol, Aldesleukin, Amifostine. The full list is on the Timolol page.

Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app

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