Drug interactions
Maprotiline + Pentobarbital
Severity: Moderate
Maprotiline 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 is a barbiturate with strong sedative effects, and maprotiline is also sedating, so CNS depression is enhanced. Barbiturates additionally induce hepatic enzymes and may lower maprotiline concentrations, reducing antidepressant effect. Maprotiline also lowers the seizure threshold, which matters if barbiturates are withdrawn.
What this interaction means in plain words
Maprotiline 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.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression plus barbiturate-mediated induction of hepatic CYP enzymes that metabolize maprotiline.
What to do
Monitor sedation and respiratory status, and assess antidepressant response as enzyme induction may require a maprotiline dose adjustment. Avoid abrupt barbiturate withdrawal.
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 Maprotiline
- Arsenic trioxide + Maprotiline Contraindicated
- Disopyramide + Maprotiline Contraindicated
- Dofetilide + Maprotiline Contraindicated
- Ibutilide + Maprotiline Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Maprotiline Contraindicated
- Maprotiline + Methylene blue Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Maprotiline with Pentobarbital?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Maprotiline 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 is a barbiturate with strong sedative effects, and maprotiline is also sedating, so CNS depression is enhanced. Barbiturates additionally induce hepatic enzymes and may lower maprotiline concentrations, reducing antidepressant effect. Maprotiline also lowers the seizure threshold, which matters if barbiturates are withdrawn.
How serious is the interaction between Maprotiline 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 sedation and respiratory status, and assess antidepressant response as enzyme induction may require a maprotiline dose adjustment. Avoid abrupt barbiturate withdrawal.
What other medicines interact with Maprotiline?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Maprotiline with, for example, Arsenic trioxide, Disopyramide, Dofetilide. The full list is on the Maprotiline page.
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