Drug interactions
Secobarbital + Zolpidem
Severity: Moderate
Secobarbital and Zolpidem: 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 is a barbiturate that induces CYP3A4 and may reduce zolpidem levels over time. More importantly, both drugs are sedative-hypnotics and together produce additive CNS and respiratory depression.
What this interaction means in plain words
Secobarbital and Zolpidem 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; Zolpidem belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Pharmacodynamic additive CNS depression plus CYP3A4 induction by the barbiturate that increases zolpidem metabolism.
What to do
Avoid combining two hypnotics where possible. If both are used, monitor for oversedation and respiratory depression and reassess zolpidem efficacy.
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 Zolpidem
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 Zolpidem?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Secobarbital and Zolpidem 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 is a barbiturate that induces CYP3A4 and may reduce zolpidem levels over time. More importantly, both drugs are sedative-hypnotics and together produce additive CNS and respiratory depression.
How serious is the interaction between Secobarbital and Zolpidem?
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 hypnotics where possible. If both are used, monitor for oversedation and respiratory depression and reassess zolpidem efficacy.
What other medicines interact with Zolpidem?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Zolpidem with, for example, Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates, Sodium oxybate, Benzhydrocodone / acetaminophen. The full list is on the Zolpidem page.
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