Can you take Butalbital with Take Action?
1 drug interaction and 37 additional warnings found for the following 2 drugs:
- butalbital
- Take Action (levonorgestrel)
Drug interactions
Moderate drug interactions
Moderate:
levonorgestrel butalbital
Applies to: Take Action (levonorgestrel) and butalbital
Butalbital may decrease the effectiveness of levonorgestrel. If you are using low-dose contraceptives, there is an increased risk of breakthrough bleeding and unintended pregnancy during combined therapy with butalbital. Alternative or additional methods of birth control should be used while taking butalbital. If you take hormone replacement for menopause, notify your doctor if you have decreased efficacy of your hormones. You may notice symptoms of increased hot flashes, vaginal dryness or menstrual abnormalities. It is important that you tell your healthcare provider about all other medications that you are using including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using your medications without first talking to your doctor.
Food/lifestyle interactions
Major food/lifestyle interactions
Major:
butalbital Alcohol (Ethanol)
Applies to: butalbital
Ask your doctor before using butalbital together with ethanol (alcohol), this can add to dizziness, drowsiness and other side effects of butalbital. Be careful if you drive or do activities that require you to be awake and alert. Talk with your doctor before using any medications together, or drinking alcohol with butalbital. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.
Moderate food/lifestyle interactions
Moderate:
levonorgestrel Food/Lifestyle
Applies to: Take Action (levonorgestrel)
Grapefruit juice may increase the blood levels of certain medications such as levonorgestrel. You may want to limit your consumption of grapefruit and grapefruit juice during treatment with levonorgestrel. However, if you have been regularly consuming grapefruit or grapefruit juice with the medication, then it is advisable for you to talk with your doctor before changing the amounts of these products in your diet, as this may alter the effects of your medication. Contact your doctor if your condition changes or you experience increased side effects. Orange juice is not expected to interact.
Minor food/lifestyle interactions
Minor:
levonorgestrel Alcohol (Ethanol)
Applies to: Take Action (levonorgestrel)
Information for this minor interaction is available on the professional version.
Disease interactions
34 potential interactions Applies to: 32 conditions, including High Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol, Depression, Vitamin D Deficiency, and Migraine.
Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
Major:
Take Action
The levonorgestrel in Take Action has a major potential interaction with Abnormal Uterine Bleeding.
The use of contraceptives is contraindicated when there is an undiagnosed abnormal genital bleeding. Adequate diagnostic measures should be undertaken to rule out the presence of any malignancy.
Acute Alcohol Intoxication
Major:
butalbital
Butalbital has a major potential interaction with Acute Alcohol Intoxication.
The use of barbiturates is contraindicated in patients with acute alcohol intoxication exhibiting depressed vital signs. The central nervous system depressant effects of barbiturates may be additive with those of alcohol. Severe respiratory depression and death may occur. Therapy with barbiturates should be administered cautiously in patients who might be prone to acute alcohol intake.
Adrenal Insufficiency
Moderate:
butalbital
Butalbital has a moderate potential interaction with Adrenal Insufficiency.
Barbiturates, especially phenobarbital, secobarbital and butabarbital, may diminish the systemic effects of exogenous and endogenous corticosteroids via induction of hepatic microsomal enzymes, thereby accelerating the metabolism of corticosteroids. In addition, barbiturates may interfere with pituitary corticotropin production. Therapy with barbiturates should be administered cautiously in patients with adrenal insufficiency. Patients with borderline hypoadrenalism should be monitored closely, and patients receiving steroid supplementation may require an adjustment in dosage when barbiturates are added to or withdrawn from their medication regimen.
Alcoholism
Major:
butalbital
Butalbital has a major potential interaction with Alcoholism.
Barbiturates have the potential to cause dependence and abuse. Tolerance as well as physical and psychological dependence can develop, particularly after prolonged use of excessive dosages. Abrupt cessation and/or a reduction in dosage may precipitate withdrawal symptoms. In patients who have developed tolerance to a barbiturate, overdosage can still produce respiratory depression and death, and cross-tolerance usually will occur with other agents in the class. Addiction-prone individuals, such as those with a history of alcohol or substance abuse, should be under careful surveillance or medical supervision when treated with barbiturates. It may be prudent to refrain from dispensing large quantities of medication to these patients. After prolonged use or if dependency is suspected, withdrawal of barbiturates should be undertaken gradually using a dosage-tapering schedule.
Asphyxia
Major:
butalbital
Butalbital has a major potential interaction with Asphyxia.
Barbiturates may produce severe respiratory depression, apnea, laryngospasm, bronchospasm and cough, particularly during rapid intravenous administration. In usual hypnotic dosages, the degree of respiratory depression produced is similar to that which occurs during physiologic sleep, while at higher dosages, the rate, depth and volume of respiration may be markedly decreased. However, some patients may be susceptible at commonly used dosages, including the elderly, debilitated or severely ill patients, those receiving other CNS depressants, and those with limited ventilatory reserve, chronic pulmonary insufficiency or other respiratory disorders. Therapy with barbiturates should be administered cautiously in these patients. Appropriate monitoring and individualization of dosage are particularly important, and equipment for resuscitation should be immediately available if the parenteral route is used. Barbiturates, especially injectable formulations, should generally be avoided in patients with sleep apnea, hypoxia, or severe pulmonary diseases in which dyspnea or obstruction is evident.
Asthma
Moderate:
Take Action
The levonorgestrel in Take Action has a moderate potential interaction with Asthma.
Estrogens and progestogens may cause fluid retention, particularly when given in high dosages or for prolonged periods. Therapy with these agents should be administered cautiously in patients who have preexisting problems with excess fluid. In addition, patients with conditions that may be adversely affected by fluid accumulation, such as asthma, epilepsy, migraine, and cardiovascular or renal dysfunction, should be observed for exacerbation of their condition during estrogen and/or progestogen therapy.
Bone Marrow Depression/Low Blood Counts
Moderate:
butalbital
Butalbital has a moderate potential interaction with Bone Marrow Depression/Low Blood Counts.
Hematologic toxicity, including agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenic purpura and megaloblastic anemia, has been reported rarely during use of barbiturates. Therapy with barbiturates should be administered cautiously in patients with preexisting blood dyscrasias or bone marrow suppression. Blood counts are recommended prior to and periodically during long-term therapy, and patients should be instructed to immediately report any signs or symptoms suggestive of blood dyscrasia such as fever, sore throat, local infection, easy bruising, petechiae, bleeding, pallor, dizziness, or jaundice. Barbiturate therapy should be discontinued if blood dyscrasias occur.
Breast Cancer
Major:
Take Action
The levonorgestrel in Take Action has a major potential interaction with Breast Cancer.
The use of progestogens is considered by manufacturers to be contraindicated in patients with existing or suspected malignancy of the breast. Some supportive data are available for medroxyprogesterone. Specifically, medroxyprogesterone treatment may be associated with breast cancer, primarily when the drug is administered intramuscularly. A pooled analysis of two case-control studies, one from the World Health Organization and the other from New Zealand, revealed a small overall relative risk of breast cancer in women who have ever used intramuscular medroxyprogesterone acetate. The relative risk was higher in the subgroup of women who had initiated therapy within the previous 5 years. Thus, an increased risk (approximately 2-fold) is associated with intramuscular medroxyprogesterone use in the first 5 years. A more recent U.S. study also found a statistically significant increase in breast cancer risk among recent users (defined as last use within the past five years) who used depo-medroxyprogesterone acetate for 12 months or longer.
Cerebral Vascular Disorder
Moderate:
Take Action
The levonorgestrel in Take Action has a moderate potential interaction with Cerebral Vascular Disorder.
The use of levonorgestrel requires careful assessment and caution in conditions of arterial disease, including stroke and myocardial infarction, and also, in patients with increased blood pressure and coagulopathies.
Depression
Moderate:
butalbital
Butalbital has a moderate potential interaction with Depression.
Barbiturates depress the central nervous system and may cause or exacerbate mental depression. Therapy with barbiturates should be administered cautiously in patients with a history of depression or suicidal tendencies. It may be prudent to refrain from dispensing large quantities of medication to these patients.
Moderate:
Take Action
The levonorgestrel in Take Action has a moderate potential interaction with Depression.
The use of oral contraceptives has been associated with an increased incidence of depression. It is uncertain whether this effect is related to the estrogenic or the progestogenic component of the contraceptive, although excess progesterone activity is associated with depression. Patients with a history of depression receiving estrogen and/or progestogen therapy should be followed closely. The manufacturer of medroxyprogesterone recommends monitoring patients who have a history of depression and to not re- administer medroxyprogesterone if depression recurs.
Dermatitis, Drug-Induced
Major:
butalbital
Butalbital has a major potential interaction with Dermatitis, Drug-Induced.
Skin eruptions may precede rare but potentially fatal barbiturate-induced reactions such as systemic lupus erythematosus and exfoliative dermatitis, the latter of which may be accompanied by hepatitis and jaundice. Therapy with barbiturates should be administered cautiously in patients with preexisting drug-induced dermatitis, since it may delay the recognition of a potential reaction to barbiturates. Barbiturate therapy should be withdrawn promptly at the first sign of a dermatologic adverse effect. However, cutaneous reactions may proceed to an irreversible stage even after cessation of medication due to the slow rate of metabolism and excretion of barbiturates. Patients should be advised to promptly report signs that may indicate impending development of barbiturate-related cutaneous lesions, including high fever, severe headache, stomatitis, conjunctivitis, rhinitis, urethritis, and balanitis. Rashes may be more likely to occur with phenobarbital and mephobarbital.
Diabetes Mellitus
Moderate:
Take Action
The levonorgestrel in Take Action has a moderate potential interaction with Diabetes Mellitus.
Impaired glucose tolerance has been observed in some patients administered oral contraceptives and appears to be related primarily to the estrogen dose. However, progestogens can increase insulin secretion and produce insulin resistance to varying degrees, depending on the agent. Caution and close monitoring are recommended in patients with diabetes mellitus during therapy with estrogens and/or progestogens, and adjustments made accordingly in their antidiabetic regimen.
Drug Dependence
Major:
butalbital
Butalbital has a major potential interaction with Drug Dependence.
Barbiturates have the potential to cause dependence and abuse. Tolerance as well as physical and psychological dependence can develop, particularly after prolonged use of excessive dosages. Abrupt cessation and/or a reduction in dosage may precipitate withdrawal symptoms. In patients who have developed tolerance to a barbiturate, overdosage can still produce respiratory depression and death, and cross-tolerance usually will occur with other agents in the class. Addiction-prone individuals, such as those with a history of alcohol or substance abuse, should be under careful surveillance or medical supervision when treated with barbiturates. It may be prudent to refrain from dispensing large quantities of medication to these patients. After prolonged use or if dependency is suspected, withdrawal of barbiturates should be undertaken gradually using a dosage-tapering schedule.
Fluid Retention
Moderate:
Take Action
The levonorgestrel in Take Action has a moderate potential interaction with Fluid Retention.
Estrogens and progestogens may cause fluid retention, particularly when given in high dosages or for prolonged periods. Therapy with these agents should be administered cautiously in patients who have preexisting problems with excess fluid. In addition, patients with conditions that may be adversely affected by fluid accumulation, such as asthma, epilepsy, migraine, and cardiovascular or renal dysfunction, should be observed for exacerbation of their condition during estrogen and/or progestogen therapy.
Heart Failure
Moderate:
Take Action
The levonorgestrel in Take Action has a moderate potential interaction with Heart Failure.
Estrogens and progestogens may cause fluid retention, particularly when given in high dosages or for prolonged periods. Therapy with these agents should be administered cautiously in patients who have preexisting problems with excess fluid. In addition, patients with conditions that may be adversely affected by fluid accumulation, such as asthma, epilepsy, migraine, and cardiovascular or renal dysfunction, should be observed for exacerbation of their condition during estrogen and/or progestogen therapy.
Hepatic Tumor
Major:
Take Action
The levonorgestrel in Take Action has a major potential interaction with Hepatic Tumor.
The use of oral contraceptives is contraindicated in patients with liver tumors. An increased risk of benign hepatic adenomas and hepatocellular carcinomas has been associated with long-term, oral estrogen- progestin contraceptive use of at least 4 years and 8 years, respectively. Although these tumors are rare and have not been reported with other types of estrogen or progestogen therapies, any preparation containing estrogens and/or progestogens should probably be avoided in patients with existing tumors of the liver. Hepatic hemangiomas and nodular hyperplasia of the liver have been reported with isolated estrogen therapy.
High Blood Pressure
Moderate:
Take Action
The levonorgestrel in Take Action has a moderate potential interaction with High Blood Pressure.
Estrogens and progestogens may cause fluid retention, particularly when given in high dosages or for prolonged periods. Therapy with these agents should be administered cautiously in patients who have preexisting problems with excess fluid. In addition, patients with conditions that may be adversely affected by fluid accumulation, such as asthma, epilepsy, migraine, and cardiovascular or renal dysfunction, should be observed for exacerbation of their condition during estrogen and/or progestogen therapy.
High Cholesterol
Moderate:
Take Action
The levonorgestrel in Take Action has a moderate potential interaction with High Cholesterol.
Some progestogenic agents may elevate plasma LDL levels and/or lower HDL levels, although data have been inconsistent. Patients with preexisting hyperlipidemia may require closer monitoring during progestogen therapy, and adjustments made accordingly in their lipid-lowering regimen.
History, Thrombotic/Thromboembolic Disorder
Moderate:
Take Action
The levonorgestrel in Take Action has a moderate potential interaction with History, Thrombotic/Thromboembolic Disorder.
The use of levonorgestrel requires careful assessment and caution in conditions of arterial disease, including stroke and myocardial infarction, and also, in patients with increased blood pressure and coagulopathies.
Hyperkinetic Syndrome of Childhood
Moderate:
butalbital
Butalbital has a moderate potential interaction with Hyperkinetic Syndrome of Childhood.
Paradoxical reactions characterized by excitability and restlessness may occur in pediatric patients with hyperactive aggressive disorders. Such patients should be monitored for signs of paradoxical stimulation during therapy with barbiturates.
Liver Disease
Major:
butalbital
Butalbital has a major potential interaction with Liver Disease.
Barbiturates are extensively metabolized by the liver. The plasma clearance of barbiturates may be decreased and the half-lives prolonged in patients with impaired hepatic function. Therapy with barbiturates should be administered cautiously and initiated at reduced dosages in patients with liver disease. Barbiturates are not recommended for use in patients with cirrhosis, hepatic failure, hepatic coma, or other severe hepatic impairment.
Major:
Take Action
The levonorgestrel in Take Action has a major potential interaction with Liver Disease.
The use of progestogens, in general, is contraindicated in patients with impaired hepatic function or liver disease. There are little or no data concerning the pharmacokinetic disposition of the different progestogens in patients with hepatic disease. However, most hormones, including progestational hormones, are known to be extensively metabolized by the liver. Medroxyprogesterone should not be used by women with significant liver disease and should be discontinued if jaundice or disturbances of liver function occur.
Migraine
Moderate:
Take Action
The levonorgestrel in Take Action has a moderate potential interaction with Migraine.
Estrogens and progestogens may cause fluid retention, particularly when given in high dosages or for prolonged periods. Therapy with these agents should be administered cautiously in patients who have preexisting problems with excess fluid. In addition, patients with conditions that may be adversely affected by fluid accumulation, such as asthma, epilepsy, migraine, and cardiovascular or renal dysfunction, should be observed for exacerbation of their condition during estrogen and/or progestogen therapy.
Panhypopituitarism
Moderate:
butalbital
Butalbital has a moderate potential interaction with Panhypopituitarism.
Barbiturates, especially phenobarbital, secobarbital and butabarbital, may diminish the systemic effects of exogenous and endogenous corticosteroids via induction of hepatic microsomal enzymes, thereby accelerating the metabolism of corticosteroids. In addition, barbiturates may interfere with pituitary corticotropin production. Therapy with barbiturates should be administered cautiously in patients with adrenal insufficiency. Patients with borderline hypoadrenalism should be monitored closely, and patients receiving steroid supplementation may require an adjustment in dosage when barbiturates are added to or withdrawn from their medication regimen.
Porphyria
Major:
butalbital
Butalbital has a major potential interaction with Porphyria.
The use of barbiturates is contraindicated in patients with a history of porphyria. Barbiturates may exacerbate acute intermittent porphyria or porphyria variegata by inducing the enzymes responsible for porphyrin synthesis.
Pulmonary Impairment
Major:
butalbital
Butalbital has a major potential interaction with Pulmonary Impairment.
Barbiturates may produce severe respiratory depression, apnea, laryngospasm, bronchospasm and cough, particularly during rapid intravenous administration. In usual hypnotic dosages, the degree of respiratory depression produced is similar to that which occurs during physiologic sleep, while at higher dosages, the rate, depth and volume of respiration may be markedly decreased. However, some patients may be susceptible at commonly used dosages, including the elderly, debilitated or severely ill patients, those receiving other CNS depressants, and those with limited ventilatory reserve, chronic pulmonary insufficiency or other respiratory disorders. Therapy with barbiturates should be administered cautiously in these patients. Appropriate monitoring and individualization of dosage are particularly important, and equipment for resuscitation should be immediately available if the parenteral route is used. Barbiturates, especially injectable formulations, should generally be avoided in patients with sleep apnea, hypoxia, or severe pulmonary diseases in which dyspnea or obstruction is evident.
Renal Dysfunction
Moderate:
Take Action
The levonorgestrel in Take Action has a moderate potential interaction with Renal Dysfunction.
Estrogens and progestogens may cause fluid retention, particularly when given in high dosages or for prolonged periods. Therapy with these agents should be administered cautiously in patients who have preexisting problems with excess fluid. In addition, patients with conditions that may be adversely affected by fluid accumulation, such as asthma, epilepsy, migraine, and cardiovascular or renal dysfunction, should be observed for exacerbation of their condition during estrogen and/or progestogen therapy.
Respiratory Arrest
Major:
butalbital
Butalbital has a major potential interaction with Respiratory Arrest.
Barbiturates may produce severe respiratory depression, apnea, laryngospasm, bronchospasm and cough, particularly during rapid intravenous administration. In usual hypnotic dosages, the degree of respiratory depression produced is similar to that which occurs during physiologic sleep, while at higher dosages, the rate, depth and volume of respiration may be markedly decreased. However, some patients may be susceptible at commonly used dosages, including the elderly, debilitated or severely ill patients, those receiving other CNS depressants, and those with limited ventilatory reserve, chronic pulmonary insufficiency or other respiratory disorders. Therapy with barbiturates should be administered cautiously in these patients. Appropriate monitoring and individualization of dosage are particularly important, and equipment for resuscitation should be immediately available if the parenteral route is used. Barbiturates, especially injectable formulations, should generally be avoided in patients with sleep apnea, hypoxia, or severe pulmonary diseases in which dyspnea or obstruction is evident.
Seizures
Moderate:
Take Action
The levonorgestrel in Take Action has a moderate potential interaction with Seizures.
Estrogens and progestogens may cause fluid retention, particularly when given in high dosages or for prolonged periods. Therapy with these agents should be administered cautiously in patients who have preexisting problems with excess fluid. In addition, patients with conditions that may be adversely affected by fluid accumulation, such as asthma, epilepsy, migraine, and cardiovascular or renal dysfunction, should be observed for exacerbation of their condition during estrogen and/or progestogen therapy.
Thrombotic/Thromboembolic Disorder
Moderate:
Take Action
The levonorgestrel in Take Action has a moderate potential interaction with Thrombotic/Thromboembolic Disorder.
The use of levonorgestrel requires careful assessment and caution in conditions of arterial disease, including stroke and myocardial infarction, and also, in patients with increased blood pressure and coagulopathies.
Thyroid Disease
Moderate:
Take Action
The levonorgestrel in Take Action has a moderate potential interaction with Thyroid Disease.
When administering estrogen and/or progestogen therapy in patients with thyroid disorders, clinicians should be aware that these hormones may affect thyroid function tests. Patients on thyroid replacement therapy may require higher doses of thyroid hormone and appropriate monitoring. Changes have mostly been reported with the use of combination oral contraceptives. Specifically, thyroid-binding globulin (TBG) may be increased, resulting in elevated circulating total thyroid hormone, as measured by PBI (protein-bound iodine), T4 by column or radioimmunoassay, or T3 by radioimmunoassay. Free T3 resin uptake may be decreased. On the contrary, a decrease in TBG and, consequently, thyroxine concentration, has been reported by the manufacturers of the progestin-only (norethindrone) oral contraceptives.
Vitamin D Deficiency
Moderate:
butalbital
Butalbital has a moderate potential interaction with Vitamin D Deficiency.
Rickets and osteomalacia have rarely been reported following prolonged use of barbiturates, possibly due to increased metabolism of vitamin D as a result of enzyme induction by barbiturates. Long-term therapy with barbiturates should be administered cautiously in patients with vitamin D deficiency.
Weight Loss
Minor:
Take Action
The levonorgestrel in Take Action has a minor potential interaction with Weight Loss.
Progestogens can cause weight gain, which may be significant (as is the case with parenteral medroxyprogesterone) and undesirable in obese patients attempting to lose weight.
More resources
butalbital
A total of 555 drugs are known to interact with butalbital.
- Butalbital is in the drug class barbiturates.
- Butalbital is used to treat Light Sedation.
Take Action
A total of 277 drugs are known to interact with Take Action.
- Take action is in the drug class contraceptives.
- Take action is used to treat Emergency Contraception.
Drug Interaction Classification
| Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit. | |
| Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances. | |
| Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan. | |
| No interaction information available. |
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.