Drug interactions
Diphenhydramine + Secobarbital
Severity: Moderate
Diphenhydramine 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
Diphenhydramine is strongly sedating, so combined use with a barbiturate can cause marked drowsiness, confusion and impaired coordination, particularly in older adults.
What this interaction means in plain words
Diphenhydramine 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.
Diphenhydramine belongs to Respiratory; Secobarbital belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression from central H1 antagonism and barbiturate GABA-A potentiation.
What to do
Avoid concurrent use in older adults and counsel others against driving. Use a non-sedating antihistamine if one is needed.
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 Diphenhydramine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Diphenhydramine with Secobarbital?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Diphenhydramine 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. Diphenhydramine is strongly sedating, so combined use with a barbiturate can cause marked drowsiness, confusion and impaired coordination, particularly in older adults.
How serious is the interaction between Diphenhydramine 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: Avoid concurrent use in older adults and counsel others against driving. Use a non-sedating antihistamine if one is needed.
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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