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Drug interactions

Cyclizine + Pentobarbital

Severity: Moderate

Cyclizine 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

Pentobarbital is a barbiturate with strong sedative effects and cyclizine is a sedating antihistamine. Combined use can cause profound drowsiness and enhanced CNS and respiratory depression.

What this interaction means in plain words

Cyclizine 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.

Evidence level: Moderate

Why it happens

Additive CNS depression via enhanced GABA-A activity and histamine H1 blockade.

What to do

Monitor level of consciousness and respiration, and use the lowest effective doses. Avoid alcohol and other sedatives and warn about driving.

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 Cyclizine with Pentobarbital?

MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Cyclizine 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. Pentobarbital is a barbiturate with strong sedative effects and cyclizine is a sedating antihistamine. Combined use can cause profound drowsiness and enhanced CNS and respiratory depression.

How serious is the interaction between Cyclizine 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 level of consciousness and respiration, and use the lowest effective doses. Avoid alcohol and other sedatives and warn about driving.

What other medicines interact with Cyclizine?

MediHelp also lists interactions of Cyclizine with, for example, Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates, Henbane, Sodium oxybate. The full list is on the Cyclizine page.

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

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