Drug interactions
Erythromycin + Secobarbital
Severity: Moderate
Erythromycin 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
Secobarbital may lower erythromycin concentrations and reduce its antibacterial effect. The reduction could lead to treatment failure in a significant infection.
What this interaction means in plain words
Erythromycin 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.
Erythromycin belongs to Anti Bacterial; Secobarbital belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Barbiturates induce hepatic CYP3A4, increasing erythromycin metabolism.
What to do
Monitor clinical response to erythromycin and consider a higher dose or alternative antibiotic if response is poor. Avoid long-term barbiturate use where possible.
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 Erythromycin
- Conivaptan + Erythromycin Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine intranasal + Erythromycin Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine + Erythromycin Contraindicated
- Domperidone + Erythromycin Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Erythromycin Contraindicated
- Droperidol + Erythromycin Contraindicated
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
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Erythromycin with Secobarbital?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Erythromycin 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. Secobarbital may lower erythromycin concentrations and reduce its antibacterial effect. The reduction could lead to treatment failure in a significant infection.
How serious is the interaction between Erythromycin 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 clinical response to erythromycin and consider a higher dose or alternative antibiotic if response is poor. Avoid long-term barbiturate use where possible.
What other medicines interact with Erythromycin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Erythromycin with, for example, Conivaptan, Dihydroergotamine intranasal, Dihydroergotamine. The full list is on the Erythromycin page.
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