Drug interactions
Chloramphenicol + Pentobarbital
Severity: Moderate
Chloramphenicol and Pentobarbital: 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
Chloramphenicol can slow barbiturate clearance, prolonging sedation and CNS depression. Barbiturates may in turn lower chloramphenicol levels by enzyme induction, risking treatment failure.
What this interaction means in plain words
Chloramphenicol and Pentobarbital 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
Chloramphenicol inhibits hepatic metabolism of barbiturates, while barbiturates induce enzymes that metabolize chloramphenicol.
What to do
Monitor sedation and respiratory status, and reduce the barbiturate dose if needed. Check chloramphenicol serum concentrations and adjust the dose.
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 Chloramphenicol
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Chloramphenicol with Pentobarbital?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Chloramphenicol and Pentobarbital 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. Chloramphenicol can slow barbiturate clearance, prolonging sedation and CNS depression. Barbiturates may in turn lower chloramphenicol levels by enzyme induction, risking treatment failure.
How serious is the interaction between Chloramphenicol and Pentobarbital?
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 reduce the barbiturate dose if needed. Check chloramphenicol serum concentrations and adjust the dose.
What other medicines interact with Chloramphenicol?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Chloramphenicol with, for example, Adagrasib, Avapritinib, Bcg vaccine live. The full list is on the Chloramphenicol page.
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