Drug interactions
Primidone + Zaleplon
Severity: Moderate
Primidone and Zaleplon: 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 CYP3A4 and can reduce zaleplon exposure. Primidone and zaleplon also have additive sedative effects.
What this interaction means in plain words
Primidone and Zaleplon 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; Zaleplon belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Enzyme induction by primidone and its metabolite phenobarbital, plus additive CNS depression.
What to do
Monitor for reduced hypnotic efficacy and for excessive sedation; use the lowest effective zaleplon dose.
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 Zaleplon
- Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates + Zaleplon Contraindicated
- Sodium oxybate + Zaleplon Contraindicated
- Brexanolone + Zaleplon Major
- Buprenorphine long-acting + Zaleplon Major
- Buprenorphine subdermal implant + Zaleplon Major
- Buprenorphine transdermal + Zaleplon 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 Zaleplon?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Primidone and Zaleplon 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 CYP3A4 and can reduce zaleplon exposure. Primidone and zaleplon also have additive sedative effects.
How serious is the interaction between Primidone and Zaleplon?
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 reduced hypnotic efficacy and for excessive sedation; use the lowest effective zaleplon dose.
What other medicines interact with Zaleplon?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Zaleplon with, for example, Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates, Sodium oxybate, Brexanolone. The full list is on the Zaleplon page.
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