Drug interactions
Metoprolol + Pentobarbital
Severity: Moderate
Metoprolol 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
Barbiturates induce hepatic enzymes and can lower metoprolol concentrations, reducing heart rate and blood pressure control. The effect develops over days to weeks and fades after the barbiturate is stopped.
What this interaction means in plain words
Metoprolol 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
Induction of hepatic CYP enzymes, including CYP2D6 and other pathways, increasing metoprolol clearance.
What to do
Monitor heart rate and blood pressure and increase the metoprolol dose if control is lost. Reassess the dose when the barbiturate is discontinued.
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 Metoprolol
- Metoprolol + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Amifostine + Metoprolol Major
- Amiodarone + Metoprolol Major
- Atenolol-chlorthalidone + Metoprolol Major
- Atenolol + Metoprolol Major
- Betaxolol + Metoprolol Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Metoprolol with Pentobarbital?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Metoprolol 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. Barbiturates induce hepatic enzymes and can lower metoprolol concentrations, reducing heart rate and blood pressure control. The effect develops over days to weeks and fades after the barbiturate is stopped.
How serious is the interaction between Metoprolol 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 heart rate and blood pressure and increase the metoprolol dose if control is lost. Reassess the dose when the barbiturate is discontinued.
What other medicines interact with Metoprolol?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Metoprolol with, for example, Thioridazine, Amifostine, Amiodarone. The full list is on the Metoprolol page.
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