Drug interactions
Hydrocortisone + Secobarbital
Severity: Moderate
Hydrocortisone 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
Barbiturates induce hepatic enzymes and can speed up hydrocortisone clearance, lowering its exposure and effect. This may matter in adrenal insufficiency replacement or in treating inflammatory conditions.
What this interaction means in plain words
Hydrocortisone 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.
Hydrocortisone belongs to Endocrine; Secobarbital belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Barbiturate induction of CYP3A4 increases hepatic metabolism of hydrocortisone.
What to do
Monitor clinical response and symptoms of under-replacement in adrenal insufficiency. Increase the hydrocortisone dose if needed, and reassess when the barbiturate is stopped.
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 Hydrocortisone
- Hydrocortisone + Mifepristone Contraindicated
- Hydrocortisone + Poliovirus vaccine live oral trivalent Contraindicated
- Hydrocortisone + Smallpox vaccine live Contraindicated
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Hydrocortisone Major
- Aldesleukin + Hydrocortisone Major
- Aspirin + Hydrocortisone Major
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 Hydrocortisone with Secobarbital?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Hydrocortisone 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. Barbiturates induce hepatic enzymes and can speed up hydrocortisone clearance, lowering its exposure and effect. This may matter in adrenal insufficiency replacement or in treating inflammatory conditions.
How serious is the interaction between Hydrocortisone 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 and symptoms of under-replacement in adrenal insufficiency. Increase the hydrocortisone dose if needed, and reassess when the barbiturate is stopped.
What other medicines interact with Hydrocortisone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Hydrocortisone with, for example, Mifepristone, Poliovirus vaccine live oral trivalent, Smallpox vaccine live. The full list is on the Hydrocortisone page.
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