Drug interactions
Gabapentin + Secobarbital
Severity: Major
Gabapentin and Secobarbital: major 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
Both drugs depress the central nervous system, and taking them together can produce deeper sedation, impaired psychomotor function and respiratory depression. The risk is greatest in older patients, those with lung disease, and those on other sedatives or opioids.
What this interaction means in plain words
Gabapentin 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.
Gabapentin belongs to Central Nervous System; Secobarbital belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression through barbiturate GABA-A potentiation plus gabapentin's central inhibitory effects.
What to do
Use the lowest effective doses and monitor for excessive sedation and respiratory depression, especially when starting or increasing either drug. Warn patients against driving and alcohol use.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Gabapentin and Secobarbital, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 14 days on the web. No card needed.
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 Gabapentin
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Gabapentin with Secobarbital?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Gabapentin 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. Both drugs depress the central nervous system, and taking them together can produce deeper sedation, impaired psychomotor function and respiratory depression. The risk is greatest in older patients, those with lung disease, and those on other sedatives or opioids.
How serious is the interaction between Gabapentin 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: Use the lowest effective doses and monitor for excessive sedation and respiratory depression, especially when starting or increasing either drug. Warn patients against driving and alcohol use.
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.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
