Drug interactions
Lofexidine + Phenobarbital
Severity: Moderate
Lofexidine 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 long-acting barbiturate that depresses the CNS, and lofexidine causes sedation and hypotension. Combination may lead to excessive drowsiness and impaired alertness.
What this interaction means in plain words
Lofexidine 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
Additive CNS depression from GABA-A potentiation and alpha-2 agonism.
What to do
Monitor for oversedation and low blood pressure, particularly at initiation or after dose increases. Counsel against driving.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Lofexidine and Phenobarbital, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Lofexidine
- Adagrasib + Lofexidine Major
- Alfuzosin + Lofexidine Major
- Amiodarone + Lofexidine Major
- Amisulpride + Lofexidine Major
- Anagrelide + Lofexidine Major
- Apomorphine + Lofexidine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Lofexidine with Phenobarbital?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Lofexidine 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 long-acting barbiturate that depresses the CNS, and lofexidine causes sedation and hypotension. Combination may lead to excessive drowsiness and impaired alertness.
How serious is the interaction between Lofexidine 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: Monitor for oversedation and low blood pressure, particularly at initiation or after dose increases. Counsel against driving.
What other medicines interact with Lofexidine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Lofexidine with, for example, Adagrasib, Alfuzosin, Amiodarone. The full list is on the Lofexidine 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.
