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Drug interactions

Labetalol + Pentobarbital

Severity: Moderate

Labetalol and Pentobarbital: 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

Pentobarbital can lower labetalol exposure, which may reduce its antihypertensive and heart rate effects. The change develops as enzyme induction builds up over days. Loss of blood pressure control may be seen.

What this interaction means in plain words

Labetalol and Pentobarbital 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

Barbiturate induction of hepatic metabolizing enzymes (including glucuronidation) increases labetalol clearance.

What to do

Monitor blood pressure and heart rate and increase the labetalol dose if response is inadequate. Reassess the dose 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?

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 Labetalol with Pentobarbital?

MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Labetalol and Pentobarbital 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. Pentobarbital can lower labetalol exposure, which may reduce its antihypertensive and heart rate effects. The change develops as enzyme induction builds up over days. Loss of blood pressure control may be seen.

How serious is the interaction between Labetalol and Pentobarbital?

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 blood pressure and heart rate and increase the labetalol dose if response is inadequate. Reassess the dose when the barbiturate is stopped.

What other medicines interact with Labetalol?

MediHelp also lists interactions of Labetalol with, for example, Amifostine, Amiodarone, Atenolol-chlorthalidone. The full list is on the Labetalol page.

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