Drug interactions
Lidocaine + Phenobarbital
Severity: Moderate
Lidocaine and Phenobarbital: 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
Phenobarbital is a broad enzyme inducer and can increase lidocaine clearance, lowering its effect. Phenobarbital may also add to CNS depression, and enhanced formation of active lidocaine metabolites is possible.
What this interaction means in plain words
Lidocaine and Phenobarbital 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.
Why it happens
Phenobarbital induces hepatic CYP enzymes, including CYP3A4 and CYP1A2, accelerating lidocaine metabolism.
What to do
Titrate systemic lidocaine to clinical response and ECG, and consider monitoring plasma concentrations. Be alert for additive sedation.
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 Lidocaine
- Bupivacaine liposome + Lidocaine Major
- Disopyramide + Lidocaine Major
- Ex vivo expanded autologous human corneal epithelial cells containing stem cells + Lidocaine Major
- Lidocaine + Nirmatrelvir / ritonavir Major
- Lidocaine + Ombitasvir / paritaprevir / ritonavir and dasabuvir Major
- Lidocaine + Pimozide Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Lidocaine with Phenobarbital?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Lidocaine and Phenobarbital 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. Phenobarbital is a broad enzyme inducer and can increase lidocaine clearance, lowering its effect. Phenobarbital may also add to CNS depression, and enhanced formation of active lidocaine metabolites is possible.
How serious is the interaction between Lidocaine and Phenobarbital?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Titrate systemic lidocaine to clinical response and ECG, and consider monitoring plasma concentrations. Be alert for additive sedation.
What other medicines interact with Lidocaine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Lidocaine with, for example, Bupivacaine liposome, Disopyramide, Ex vivo expanded autologous human corneal epithelial cells containing stem cells. The full list is on the Lidocaine page.
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