Drug interactions
Leucovorin + Phenobarbitone
Severity: Moderate
Leucovorin and Phenobarbitone: 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
High-dose folinic acid may lower anticonvulsant levels and counteract their effect. Seizure frequency may increase in susceptible patients.
What this interaction means in plain words
Leucovorin and Phenobarbitone 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.
Leucovorin belongs to Miscellaneous; Phenobarbitone belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Folate may increase anticonvulsant metabolism and has been suggested to have a pro-convulsant effect; mechanism not firmly established.
What to do
Monitor seizure control and consider checking phenobarbitone levels during leucovorin therapy, adjusting the dose if needed.
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 Leucovorin
- Capecitabine + Leucovorin Major
- Fluorouracil + Leucovorin Major
- Glucarpidase + Leucovorin Major
- Leucovorin + Phenytoin Moderate
Other interactions of Phenobarbitone
- Cabotegravir + Phenobarbitone Contraindicated
- Doravirine + Phenobarbitone Contraindicated
- Isavuconazole + Phenobarbitone Contraindicated
- Darolutamide + Phenobarbitone Major
- Finerenone + Phenobarbitone Major
- Ivacaftor + Phenobarbitone Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Leucovorin with Phenobarbitone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Leucovorin and Phenobarbitone 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. High-dose folinic acid may lower anticonvulsant levels and counteract their effect. Seizure frequency may increase in susceptible patients.
How serious is the interaction between Leucovorin and Phenobarbitone?
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 seizure control and consider checking phenobarbitone levels during leucovorin therapy, adjusting the dose if needed.
What other medicines interact with Leucovorin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Leucovorin with, for example, Capecitabine, Fluorouracil, Glucarpidase. The full list is on the Leucovorin page.
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