Drug interactions
Mefloquine + Secobarbital
Severity: Moderate
Mefloquine 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
Barbiturates induce CYP3A4 and may lower mefloquine concentrations, reducing its efficacy. The effect has not been well studied with secobarbital.
What this interaction means in plain words
Mefloquine 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.
Mefloquine belongs to Anti Parasitic; Secobarbital belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Enzyme induction by secobarbital accelerates CYP3A4 metabolism of mefloquine.
What to do
Consider an alternative antimalarial that is not affected by enzyme induction. If used together, monitor for treatment or prophylaxis failure.
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 Mefloquine
- Arsenic trioxide + Mefloquine Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Mefloquine Contraindicated
- Ibutilide + Mefloquine Contraindicated
- Levoketoconazole + Mefloquine Contraindicated
- Mefloquine + Nilotinib Contraindicated
- Mefloquine + Pimozide Contraindicated
Other interactions of Secobarbital
- Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates + Secobarbital Contraindicated
- Doravirine + Secobarbital Contraindicated
- Elbasvir / grazoprevir + Secobarbital Contraindicated
- Elvitegravir / cobicistat / emtricitabine / tenofovir df + Secobarbital Contraindicated
- Isavuconazonium + Secobarbital Contraindicated
- Lonafarnib + Secobarbital Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Mefloquine with Secobarbital?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Mefloquine 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. Barbiturates induce CYP3A4 and may lower mefloquine concentrations, reducing its efficacy. The effect has not been well studied with secobarbital.
How serious is the interaction between Mefloquine 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: Consider an alternative antimalarial that is not affected by enzyme induction. If used together, monitor for treatment or prophylaxis failure.
What other medicines interact with Mefloquine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Mefloquine with, for example, Arsenic trioxide, Dronedarone, Ibutilide. The full list is on the Mefloquine page.
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