Drug interactions
Secobarbital + Zonisamide
Severity: Moderate
Secobarbital and Zonisamide: 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 an enzyme inducer and may lower zonisamide exposure, since zonisamide is cleared partly by CYP3A4. Reduced zonisamide levels could weaken seizure control. Both drugs also cause sedation.
What this interaction means in plain words
Secobarbital and Zonisamide 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; Zonisamide belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Barbiturate-mediated induction of CYP3A4 increases zonisamide metabolism, with additive CNS depression.
What to do
Monitor seizure control and sedation when starting or stopping secobarbital, and adjust the zonisamide dose according to 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 Zonisamide
- Zonisamide + Zuranolone Major
- Acetazolamide + Zonisamide Moderate
- Amisulpride + Zonisamide Moderate
- Amobarbital + Zonisamide Moderate
- Apalutamide + Zonisamide Moderate
- Asenapine transdermal + Zonisamide Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Secobarbital with Zonisamide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Secobarbital and Zonisamide 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 an enzyme inducer and may lower zonisamide exposure, since zonisamide is cleared partly by CYP3A4. Reduced zonisamide levels could weaken seizure control. Both drugs also cause sedation.
How serious is the interaction between Secobarbital and Zonisamide?
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 seizure control and sedation when starting or stopping secobarbital, and adjust the zonisamide dose according to 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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