Drug interactions
Caffeine + Secobarbital
Severity: Minor
Caffeine and Secobarbital: minor 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
Caffeine is a stimulant that can counteract the sedative and hypnotic effect of secobarbital. This may reduce sleep-promoting efficacy, although the effect is usually modest.
What this interaction means in plain words
Caffeine and Secobarbital have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Caffeine belongs to Miscellaneous; Secobarbital belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Pharmacodynamic antagonism: adenosine receptor blockade by caffeine opposes barbiturate-induced sedation.
What to do
Advise limiting caffeine intake in the hours before secobarbital is used for sleep.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there anything I should notice while taking both?
- Do I need to tell my doctor at the next visit?
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Other interactions of Secobarbital
- Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates + Secobarbital Contraindicated
- Doravirine + Secobarbital Contraindicated
- Elbasvir / grazoprevir + Secobarbital Contraindicated
- Elvitegravir / cobicistat / emtricitabine / tenofovir df + Secobarbital Contraindicated
- Isavuconazonium + Secobarbital Contraindicated
- Lonafarnib + Secobarbital Contraindicated
Other interactions of Caffeine
- Caffeine + Ephedrine Major
- Caffeine + Fezolinetant Major
- Caffeine + Methylenedioxymethamphetamine Major
- Caffeine + Selegiline transdermal Major
- Adenosine + Caffeine Moderate
- Benzphetamine + Caffeine Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Caffeine with Secobarbital?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Caffeine and Secobarbital have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Caffeine is a stimulant that can counteract the sedative and hypnotic effect of secobarbital. This may reduce sleep-promoting efficacy, although the effect is usually modest.
How serious is the interaction between Caffeine and Secobarbital?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Advise limiting caffeine intake in the hours before secobarbital is used for sleep.
What other medicines interact with Secobarbital?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Secobarbital with, for example, Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates, Doravirine, Elbasvir / grazoprevir. The full list is on the Secobarbital page.
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