Drug interactions
Propranolol + Secobarbital
Severity: Moderate
Propranolol and Secobarbital: 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
Secobarbital induces hepatic enzymes and can reduce propranolol concentrations, weakening its effect on blood pressure and heart rate. The loss of effect develops over days and reverses when the barbiturate is stopped.
What this interaction means in plain words
Propranolol and Secobarbital 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.
Propranolol belongs to Cardiovascular; Secobarbital belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Barbiturate induction of hepatic enzymes increases propranolol metabolism.
What to do
Monitor heart rate and blood pressure and increase the propranolol dose if needed. Consider a less extensively metabolized beta-blocker such as atenolol or nadolol.
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
- Amifostine + Propranolol Major
- Amiodarone + Propranolol Major
- Arformoterol + Propranolol Major
Other interactions of Secobarbital
- Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates + Secobarbital Contraindicated
- Doravirine + Secobarbital Contraindicated
- Elbasvir / grazoprevir + Secobarbital Contraindicated
- Elvitegravir / cobicistat / emtricitabine / tenofovir df + Secobarbital Contraindicated
- Isavuconazonium + Secobarbital Contraindicated
- Lonafarnib + Secobarbital Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Propranolol with Secobarbital?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Propranolol and Secobarbital 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. Secobarbital induces hepatic enzymes and can reduce propranolol concentrations, weakening its effect on blood pressure and heart rate. The loss of effect develops over days and reverses when the barbiturate is stopped.
How serious is the interaction between Propranolol and Secobarbital?
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. Consider a less extensively metabolized beta-blocker such as atenolol or nadolol.
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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