Drug interactions
Secobarbital + Warfarin
Severity: Moderate
Secobarbital and Warfarin: 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
Barbiturates such as secobarbital induce hepatic enzymes and can reduce warfarin effect, lowering INR. The effect builds over weeks and wanes slowly after stopping the barbiturate.
What this interaction means in plain words
Secobarbital and Warfarin 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; Warfarin belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Induction of hepatic CYP enzymes, including CYP2C9, by secobarbital increases warfarin clearance.
What to do
Monitor INR frequently when starting or stopping secobarbital and increase the warfarin dose as needed. Reduce the dose again with monitoring when the barbiturate is withdrawn.
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 Warfarin
- Defibrotide + Warfarin Contraindicated
- Ketorolac + Warfarin Contraindicated
- Abciximab + Warfarin Major
- Acetylsalicylic acid + Warfarin Major
- Adagrasib + Warfarin Major
- Amiodarone + Warfarin 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 Secobarbital with Warfarin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Secobarbital and Warfarin 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. Barbiturates such as secobarbital induce hepatic enzymes and can reduce warfarin effect, lowering INR. The effect builds over weeks and wanes slowly after stopping the barbiturate.
How serious is the interaction between Secobarbital and Warfarin?
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 INR frequently when starting or stopping secobarbital and increase the warfarin dose as needed. Reduce the dose again with monitoring when the barbiturate is withdrawn.
What other medicines interact with Warfarin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Warfarin with, for example, Defibrotide, Ketorolac, Abciximab. The full list is on the Warfarin page.
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