Barbiturates
Also indexed as: Aluratec, Amobarbital, Amylbarbitone, Amytal,
Aprobarbital, Brevital, Busodium, Butabarbital, Butisol, Mebaral, Mephobarbital, Metharbital,
Methohexital, Nembutal, Pentobarbital, Pentothal, Pentothal, Phenobarbitone, Quinalbarbitone,
Secobarbital, Seconal, Seconal Sodium, Sodium Pentothal, Soneryl, Talbutal, Thiamylal,
Thiopental, Tuinal
Barbiturates are a family of drugs that depress nerve activity in the brain, which produces
changes in mental activity ranging from mild sedation and sleep, to deep coma. They are used
to treat anxiety, insomnia, seizure disorders, and migraine headaches. In addition, some barbiturates are
used in surgery as general anaesthetics.
Summary of
Interactions with Vitamins, Herbs, and Foods
In some cases, a herb or supplement may appear in more than one category, which may seem
contradictory. For clarification, read the full article for details about the summarized
interactions.
Avoid: Adverse interaction—Avoid these supplements when taking this
medication because taking them together may cause undesirable or dangerous results. |
Alcohol
|
| Depletion or interference |
None known
|
| Side effect reduction/prevention |
None known
|
| Supportive interaction |
None known
|
| Reduced drug
absorption/bioavailability |
None known
|
| Interactions common to many, if not all,
Barbiturates are described in this article. Interactions reported for only one or a few drugs
in this class may not be listed in this article. Some drugs listed in this article are linked
to articles specific to that respective drug; please refer to those individual drug articles.
The information in this article may not necessarily apply to drugs in this class for which no
separate article exists. If you are taking a Barbiturate for which no separate article exists,
talk with your doctor or chemist. |
An asterisk (*) next to an item in the summary indicates that the
interaction is supported only by weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific
evidence.
Interactions involving barbiturates in general are described on this page. For interactions
involving a specific barbiturate, refer to the highlighted drugs listed below.
- Amobarbital (Amytal®)
- Aprobarbital (Alurate®)
- Butabarbital (Butisol®)
- Butalbital (Fiorinal®,
Fioricet®)
- Mephobarbital (Mebaral®)
- Methohexital (Brevital®)
- Pentobarbital (Nembutal®)
- Phenobarbital (Luminal®)
- Secobarbital (Seconal®)
- Thiopental (Pentothal®)
Interactions with Foods and Other Compounds
Alcohol
Drinking alcoholic drinks while taking barbiturates increases side effects, such as
drowsiness, confusion, and dizziness;1 if taken in excess, this combination may
result in death. Consequently, people taking barbiturates should avoid drinking alcohol.
References
(To view, roll mouse over the "References" heading; to hide, click on the heading)
1. Olin BR, ed. Central Nervous System Drugs, Sedatives and Hypnotics,
Barbiturates. In Facts and Comparisons Drug Information. St. Louis, MO: Facts and
Comparisons, 1993, 1398–413.
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It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience,
or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur
in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over
the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or chemist
for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in
prescribed medications.