Drug interactions
Pentobarbital + Propranolol
Severity: Moderate
Pentobarbital and Propranolol: 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 propranolol plasma concentrations, reducing its effect. Loss of heart rate or blood pressure control may occur, and the effect may persist after stopping the barbiturate.
What this interaction means in plain words
Pentobarbital and Propranolol 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 increases propranolol metabolism.
What to do
Monitor heart rate and blood pressure and increase the propranolol dose if needed; reassess dose 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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Pentobarbital and Propranolol, 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 7 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Propranolol
- Propranolol + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Acebutolol + Propranolol Major
- Adrenaline-articaine + Propranolol Major
- Albuterol + Propranolol Major
- Amifostine + Propranolol Major
- Amiodarone + Propranolol Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Pentobarbital with Propranolol?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Pentobarbital and Propranolol 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 propranolol plasma concentrations, reducing its effect. Loss of heart rate or blood pressure control may occur, and the effect may persist after stopping the barbiturate.
How serious is the interaction between Pentobarbital and Propranolol?
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 propranolol dose if needed; reassess dose when the barbiturate is stopped.
What other medicines interact with Propranolol?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Propranolol with, for example, Thioridazine, Acebutolol, Adrenaline-articaine. The full list is on the Propranolol 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.
