Butalbital

Butalbital is in a class of drugs known as barbiturates and is used to treat tension headaches. There are currently no reported nutrient or herb interactions involving butalbital. See barbiturates for interactions common to this class of drugs, though they have not yet been investigated for butalbital.

Safetychecker Summary for Butalbital
(for details about the summarized interactions, read the full article)

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 with Foods and Other Compounds

Alcohol
Drinking alcoholic beverages while taking barbiturates increases side effects, such as drowsiness, confusion, and dizziness;¹ ² if taken in excess, this combination may result in death. Consequently, people taking barbiturates should avoid drinking alcohol.

References:

1. Sifton DW, ed. Physicians Desk Reference, Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 2000, 906–7.

2. 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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The information presented in Healthnotes is for informational purposes only. 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 pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires December 2003.