Drug interactions
Ramelteon + Secobarbital
Severity: Moderate
Ramelteon 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 may lower ramelteon exposure because barbiturates induce hepatic enzymes, and the two drugs also add to each other's sedative effects. Reduced hypnotic efficacy and increased daytime drowsiness are both possible.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ramelteon 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.
Ramelteon belongs to Central Nervous System; Secobarbital belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Barbiturate-mediated induction of hepatic metabolism (including CYP1A2) lowers ramelteon levels, combined with additive CNS depression.
What to do
Monitor for loss of ramelteon effect and for excessive sedation or impaired psychomotor performance. Avoid combining with other sedatives where possible and counsel the patient about driving.
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 Ramelteon and Secobarbital, 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 14 days on the web. No card needed.
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
Other interactions of Ramelteon
- Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates + Ramelteon Contraindicated
- Fluvoxamine + Ramelteon Contraindicated
- Ramelteon + Sodium oxybate Contraindicated
- Alfentanil + Ramelteon Moderate
- Amitriptyline + Ramelteon Moderate
- Amobarbital + Ramelteon Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Ramelteon with Secobarbital?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Ramelteon 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 may lower ramelteon exposure because barbiturates induce hepatic enzymes, and the two drugs also add to each other's sedative effects. Reduced hypnotic efficacy and increased daytime drowsiness are both possible.
How serious is the interaction between Ramelteon 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 for loss of ramelteon effect and for excessive sedation or impaired psychomotor performance. Avoid combining with other sedatives where possible and counsel the patient about driving.
What other medicines interact with Secobarbital?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Secobarbital with, for example, Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates, Doravirine, Elbasvir / grazoprevir. The full list is on the Secobarbital 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.
