Drug interactions
Mirtazapine + Pentobarbital
Severity: Moderate
Mirtazapine 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 causing marked CNS depression, which adds to mirtazapine's sedation. Barbiturates also induce liver enzymes and may lower mirtazapine exposure over time.
What this interaction means in plain words
Mirtazapine 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 CYP3A4 induction by the barbiturate increasing mirtazapine clearance.
What to do
Monitor sedation and respiratory status, and watch for loss of antidepressant effect with prolonged barbiturate use. Adjust mirtazapine dose according to response.
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 Mirtazapine
- Isocarboxazid + Mirtazapine Contraindicated
- Mirtazapine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Mirtazapine + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Mirtazapine + Procarbazine Contraindicated
- Mirtazapine + Rasagiline Contraindicated
- Mirtazapine + Selegiline Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Mirtazapine with Pentobarbital?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Mirtazapine 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 causing marked CNS depression, which adds to mirtazapine's sedation. Barbiturates also induce liver enzymes and may lower mirtazapine exposure over time.
How serious is the interaction between Mirtazapine 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 watch for loss of antidepressant effect with prolonged barbiturate use. Adjust mirtazapine dose according to response.
What other medicines interact with Mirtazapine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Mirtazapine with, for example, Isocarboxazid, Phenelzine, Pimozide. The full list is on the Mirtazapine page.
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