Skip to content

Drug interactions

Pentobarbital + Propafenone

Severity: Moderate

Pentobarbital and Propafenone: 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 induces hepatic enzymes and may lower propafenone concentrations, reducing antiarrhythmic efficacy. Loss of rhythm control may occur after the barbiturate is started.

What this interaction means in plain words

Pentobarbital and Propafenone 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.

Evidence level: Low

Why it happens

Enzyme induction (CYP3A4 and CYP1A2) by pentobarbital increases propafenone clearance.

What to do

Monitor heart rhythm and clinical response, adjusting the propafenone dose if arrhythmia recurs. Reassess when the barbiturate is stopped.

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?

Bring a full list of your medicines, including over-the-counter products, supplements and herbal remedies, to every pharmacy visit.

Pro+ members

Unlock the full page

Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Pentobarbital and Propafenone, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.

  • Full clinical management advice
  • Additional notes
  • Evidence detail
  • Interaction checker for a whole prescription

Try Pro+ free for 14 days on the web. No card needed.

Frequently asked questions

Can I take Pentobarbital with Propafenone?

MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Pentobarbital and Propafenone 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 induces hepatic enzymes and may lower propafenone concentrations, reducing antiarrhythmic efficacy. Loss of rhythm control may occur after the barbiturate is started.

How serious is the interaction between Pentobarbital and Propafenone?

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 rhythm and clinical response, adjusting the propafenone dose if arrhythmia recurs. Reassess when the barbiturate is stopped.

What other medicines interact with Propafenone?

MediHelp also lists interactions of Propafenone with, for example, Dofetilide, Dronedarone, Nilotinib. The full list is on the Propafenone page.

Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app

Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.

Browse A–Z · Drug interactions

Get the app Sign in