Drug interactions
Carbamazepine + Secobarbital
Severity: Moderate
Carbamazepine and Secobarbital: 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
Both agents induce hepatic enzymes, and barbiturates may lower carbamazepine concentrations, which could reduce seizure control. Additive sedation may also occur.
What this interaction means in plain words
Carbamazepine and Secobarbital 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.
Carbamazepine belongs to Central Nervous System; Secobarbital belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Induction of CYP3A4 by secobarbital increases carbamazepine metabolism, with additive CNS depression.
What to do
Monitor carbamazepine serum concentrations and seizure control when starting or stopping the barbiturate. Adjust the carbamazepine dose as needed and watch for excess sedation.
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 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 Carbamazepine
- Artemether / lumefantrine + Carbamazepine Contraindicated
- Cabotegravir + Carbamazepine Contraindicated
- Carbamazepine + Delamanid Contraindicated
- Carbamazepine + Dienogest / estradiol valerate Contraindicated
- Carbamazepine + Doravirine Contraindicated
- Carbamazepine + Elbasvir / grazoprevir Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Carbamazepine with Secobarbital?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Carbamazepine and Secobarbital 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. Both agents induce hepatic enzymes, and barbiturates may lower carbamazepine concentrations, which could reduce seizure control. Additive sedation may also occur.
How serious is the interaction between Carbamazepine and Secobarbital?
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 carbamazepine serum concentrations and seizure control when starting or stopping the barbiturate. Adjust the carbamazepine dose as needed and watch for excess sedation.
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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