Drug interactions
Secobarbital + Suvorexant
Severity: Moderate
Secobarbital and Suvorexant: 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
Both agents depress the central nervous system, so together they increase sedation, impair psychomotor performance and raise fall risk. Secobarbital is also a CYP3A4 inducer and may reduce suvorexant concentrations, potentially weakening its hypnotic effect.
What this interaction means in plain words
Secobarbital and Suvorexant 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 belongs to Central Nervous System; Suvorexant belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression plus induction of CYP3A4-mediated suvorexant metabolism by the barbiturate.
What to do
Avoid combining two sedative-hypnotics when feasible; if used together, monitor for daytime sedation and for reduced suvorexant efficacy. Adjust doses of either drug based on response.
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 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 Suvorexant
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Secobarbital with Suvorexant?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Secobarbital and Suvorexant 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. Both agents depress the central nervous system, so together they increase sedation, impair psychomotor performance and raise fall risk. Secobarbital is also a CYP3A4 inducer and may reduce suvorexant concentrations, potentially weakening its hypnotic effect.
How serious is the interaction between Secobarbital and Suvorexant?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid combining two sedative-hypnotics when feasible; if used together, monitor for daytime sedation and for reduced suvorexant efficacy. Adjust doses of either drug based on response.
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.
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