Drug interactions
Chloral hydrate + Primidone
Severity: Moderate
Chloral hydrate and Primidone: 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
Primidone is metabolized to phenobarbital, so combining it with chloral hydrate can cause additive sedation and respiratory depression. Chloral hydrate may also alter the metabolism of anticonvulsants, so seizure control and sedation should both be watched.
What this interaction means in plain words
Chloral hydrate and Primidone 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.
Chloral hydrate belongs to Central Nervous System; Primidone belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive GABA-A mediated CNS depression through primidone and its phenobarbital metabolite.
What to do
Monitor sedation and respiratory status, and consider lowering the dose of one agent if drowsiness is excessive.
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 Chloral hydrate
- Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates + Chloral hydrate Contraindicated
- Chloral hydrate + Sodium oxybate Contraindicated
- Alfentanil + Chloral hydrate Major
- Alprazolam + Chloral hydrate Major
- Amobarbital + Chloral hydrate Major
- Belladonna and opium + Chloral hydrate Major
Other interactions of Primidone
- Lorlatinib + Primidone Contraindicated
- Lurasidone + Primidone Contraindicated
- Primidone + Ranolazine Contraindicated
- Primidone + Sofosbuvir-velpatasvir-voxilaprevir Contraindicated
- Primidone + Voriconazole Contraindicated
- Abiraterone + Primidone Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Chloral hydrate with Primidone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Chloral hydrate and Primidone 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. Primidone is metabolized to phenobarbital, so combining it with chloral hydrate can cause additive sedation and respiratory depression. Chloral hydrate may also alter the metabolism of anticonvulsants, so seizure control and sedation should both be watched.
How serious is the interaction between Chloral hydrate and Primidone?
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 sedation and respiratory status, and consider lowering the dose of one agent if drowsiness is excessive.
What other medicines interact with Chloral hydrate?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Chloral hydrate with, for example, Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates, Sodium oxybate, Alfentanil. The full list is on the Chloral hydrate page.
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