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Drug interactions

Lumefantrine + Secobarbital

Severity: Moderate

Lumefantrine 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

Secobarbital may lower lumefantrine exposure, potentially reducing antimalarial efficacy and raising the risk of treatment failure.

What this interaction means in plain words

Lumefantrine 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

Barbiturate induction of CYP3A4 increases lumefantrine metabolism.

What to do

Avoid long-term inducers where possible during artemether-lumefantrine treatment. If used, monitor for treatment failure and ensure the full course is taken with fatty food.

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 Lumefantrine with Secobarbital?

MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Lumefantrine 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. Secobarbital may lower lumefantrine exposure, potentially reducing antimalarial efficacy and raising the risk of treatment failure.

How serious is the interaction between Lumefantrine 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 long-term inducers where possible during artemether-lumefantrine treatment. If used, monitor for treatment failure and ensure the full course is taken with fatty food.

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.

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