Drug interactions
Ethanol + Secobarbital
Severity: Major
Ethanol and Secobarbital: major interaction.
Last updated Sources: UK SmPC
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
Alcohol and secobarbital have additive central nervous system and respiratory depressant effects. Combined use can cause profound sedation, impaired psychomotor function, respiratory depression, coma and death.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ethanol and Secobarbital can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression via enhancement of GABA-A receptor activity; alcohol may also compete for hepatic metabolism.
What to do
Advise patients to avoid alcohol entirely while taking secobarbital. Counsel against driving or operating machinery.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
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References
- Dehydrated Alcohol (Absolute Alcohol) BP for Injection - SmPC sections 4.3/4.5 (class statement: hypnotics; "Alcohol may enhance the acute effects of drugs which depress the central nervous system, such as hypnotics, antihistamines, muscle relaxants, opioid analgesics,") — electronic medicines compendium (UK SmPC)
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 Ethanol with Secobarbital?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Ethanol and Secobarbital can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Alcohol and secobarbital have additive central nervous system and respiratory depressant effects. Combined use can cause profound sedation, impaired psychomotor function, respiratory depression, coma and death.
How serious is the interaction between Ethanol and Secobarbital?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Advise patients to avoid alcohol entirely while taking secobarbital. Counsel against driving or operating machinery.
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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