Drug interactions
Phenobarbital + Vilazodone
Severity: Moderate
Phenobarbital and Vilazodone: 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
Phenobarbital is a potent CYP3A4 inducer that can lower vilazodone concentrations, and both drugs may cause sedation. Reduced antidepressant efficacy is possible during chronic use.
What this interaction means in plain words
Phenobarbital and Vilazodone 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
Phenobarbital induction of CYP3A4 metabolism plus additive CNS depression.
What to do
Monitor for loss of antidepressant effect and excess sedation. Consider increasing vilazodone dose within the labeled maximum and readjust if phenobarbital 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 Phenobarbital and Vilazodone, 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 Vilazodone
- Isocarboxazid + Vilazodone Contraindicated
- Methylene blue + Vilazodone Contraindicated
- Phenelzine + Vilazodone Contraindicated
- Rasagiline + Vilazodone Contraindicated
- Selegiline transdermal + Vilazodone Contraindicated
- Selegiline + Vilazodone Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Phenobarbital with Vilazodone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Phenobarbital and Vilazodone 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. Phenobarbital is a potent CYP3A4 inducer that can lower vilazodone concentrations, and both drugs may cause sedation. Reduced antidepressant efficacy is possible during chronic use.
How serious is the interaction between Phenobarbital and Vilazodone?
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 for loss of antidepressant effect and excess sedation. Consider increasing vilazodone dose within the labeled maximum and readjust if phenobarbital is stopped.
What other medicines interact with Vilazodone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Vilazodone with, for example, Isocarboxazid, Methylene blue, Phenelzine. The full list is on the Vilazodone 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.
