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Drug interactions

Kava + Secobarbital

Severity: Moderate

Kava 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

Kava has sedative-anxiolytic effects and can add to secobarbital's CNS depression. Kava is also associated with hepatotoxicity, adding concern.

What this interaction means in plain words

Kava 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.

Evidence level: Low

Why it happens

Additive GABAergic CNS depression from kavalactones.

What to do

Avoid kava while taking secobarbital. Monitor for excess sedation and liver injury if used.

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?

Bring a full list of your medicines, including over-the-counter products, supplements and herbal remedies, to every pharmacy visit.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I take Kava with Secobarbital?

MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Kava 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. Kava has sedative-anxiolytic effects and can add to secobarbital's CNS depression. Kava is also associated with hepatotoxicity, adding concern.

How serious is the interaction between Kava 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 kava while taking secobarbital. Monitor for excess sedation and liver injury if used.

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.

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