Drug interactions
Ramelteon + Sodium oxybate
Severity: Contraindicated
Ramelteon and Sodium oxybate: contraindicated 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
Both agents cause sedation, and combined use may deepen CNS depression with a risk of respiratory depression, impaired arousal, and coma. Oxybate labeling advises against concomitant sedative hypnotics.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ramelteon and Sodium oxybate are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two.
Ramelteon belongs to Central Nervous System; Sodium oxybate belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression through pharmacodynamic synergism (melatonin receptor agonism plus GHB/GABA-B-mediated sedation).
What to do
Avoid combining; use an alternative approach to insomnia in patients on sodium oxybate.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there an alternative to one of these two medicines for me?
- If both are essential, who is monitoring me and how often?
- Which symptoms mean I should stop and seek help straight away?
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Other interactions of Ramelteon
- Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates + Ramelteon Contraindicated
- Fluvoxamine + Ramelteon Contraindicated
- Alfentanil + Ramelteon Moderate
- Amitriptyline + Ramelteon Moderate
- Amobarbital + Ramelteon Moderate
- Amoxapine + Ramelteon Moderate
Other interactions of Sodium oxybate
- Alprazolam + Sodium oxybate Contraindicated
- Amobarbital + Sodium oxybate Contraindicated
- Butorphanol + Sodium oxybate Contraindicated
- Chloral hydrate + Sodium oxybate Contraindicated
- Clonazepam + Sodium oxybate Contraindicated
- Clorazepate + Sodium oxybate Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Ramelteon with Sodium oxybate?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Ramelteon and Sodium oxybate are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two. Both agents cause sedation, and combined use may deepen CNS depression with a risk of respiratory depression, impaired arousal, and coma. Oxybate labeling advises against concomitant sedative hypnotics.
How serious is the interaction between Ramelteon and Sodium oxybate?
MediHelp rates it contraindicated, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid combining; use an alternative approach to insomnia in patients on sodium oxybate.
What other medicines interact with Ramelteon?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Ramelteon with, for example, Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates, Fluvoxamine, Alfentanil. The full list is on the Ramelteon page.
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