Drug interactions
Secobarbital + Zaleplon
Severity: Moderate
Secobarbital and Zaleplon: 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 are sedative-hypnotics, so combined use can lead to additive sedation, impaired psychomotor function and respiratory depression. Secobarbital also induces CYP3A4 and may lower zaleplon exposure.
What this interaction means in plain words
Secobarbital and Zaleplon 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; Zaleplon belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression, together with barbiturate-mediated CYP3A4 induction that increases zaleplon metabolism.
What to do
Avoid using two hypnotics together where possible. If combined, monitor for oversedation and respiratory depression.
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 Zaleplon
- Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates + Zaleplon Contraindicated
- Sodium oxybate + Zaleplon Contraindicated
- Brexanolone + Zaleplon Major
- Buprenorphine long-acting + Zaleplon Major
- Buprenorphine subdermal implant + Zaleplon Major
- Buprenorphine transdermal + Zaleplon 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 Zaleplon?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Secobarbital and Zaleplon 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 are sedative-hypnotics, so combined use can lead to additive sedation, impaired psychomotor function and respiratory depression. Secobarbital also induces CYP3A4 and may lower zaleplon exposure.
How serious is the interaction between Secobarbital and Zaleplon?
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 using two hypnotics together where possible. If combined, monitor for oversedation and respiratory depression.
What other medicines interact with Zaleplon?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Zaleplon with, for example, Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates, Sodium oxybate, Brexanolone. The full list is on the Zaleplon page.
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