Drug interactions
Primidone + Propranolol
Severity: Moderate
Primidone 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
Primidone is metabolized to phenobarbital, which induces hepatic enzymes and can reduce propranolol concentrations. Beta-blocker effect may be diminished.
What this interaction means in plain words
Primidone 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.
Primidone belongs to Central Nervous System; Propranolol belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Enzyme induction by primidone and its phenobarbital metabolite increases propranolol hepatic metabolism.
What to do
Monitor heart rate and blood pressure and raise the propranolol dose if needed, or consider atenolol or nadolol, which are less affected.
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 Propranolol
- Propranolol + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Acebutolol + Propranolol Major
- Adrenaline-articaine + Propranolol Major
- Albuterol + Propranolol Major
- Amifostine + Propranolol Major
- Amiodarone + Propranolol Major
Other interactions of Primidone
- Lorlatinib + Primidone Contraindicated
- Lurasidone + Primidone Contraindicated
- Primidone + Ranolazine Contraindicated
- Primidone + Sofosbuvir-velpatasvir-voxilaprevir Contraindicated
- Primidone + Voriconazole Contraindicated
- Abiraterone + Primidone Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Primidone with Propranolol?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Primidone 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. Primidone is metabolized to phenobarbital, which induces hepatic enzymes and can reduce propranolol concentrations. Beta-blocker effect may be diminished.
How serious is the interaction between Primidone 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 raise the propranolol dose if needed, or consider atenolol or nadolol, which are less affected.
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.
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