Drug interactions
Nortriptyline + Secobarbital
Severity: Moderate
Nortriptyline 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
Both agents cause sedation, so combined use can lead to excessive drowsiness and impaired performance. Barbiturates may also reduce nortriptyline levels and effectiveness.
What this interaction means in plain words
Nortriptyline 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.
Nortriptyline belongs to Central Nervous System; Secobarbital belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression; barbiturate induction of hepatic CYP enzymes increases tricyclic metabolism.
What to do
Monitor sedation and clinical response, and consider checking nortriptyline levels. Adjust the dose if antidepressant effect falls.
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 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
Other interactions of Nortriptyline
- Disopyramide + Nortriptyline Contraindicated
- Dofetilide + Nortriptyline Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Nortriptyline Contraindicated
- Ibutilide + Nortriptyline Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Nortriptyline Contraindicated
- Methylene blue + Nortriptyline Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Nortriptyline with Secobarbital?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Nortriptyline 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. Both agents cause sedation, so combined use can lead to excessive drowsiness and impaired performance. Barbiturates may also reduce nortriptyline levels and effectiveness.
How serious is the interaction between Nortriptyline 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: Monitor sedation and clinical response, and consider checking nortriptyline levels. Adjust the dose if antidepressant effect falls.
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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