Secobarbital and Capsaicin Topical: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · Source data updated Aug 8, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Secobarbital
No brand names on recordCapsaicin Topical
How we grade severity & evidence
Severity levels
- Contraindicated: These should generally not be used together.
- Major: Potentially serious — often needs a change or close monitoring.
- Moderate: Can be significant — usually manageable with monitoring.
- Minor: Usually limited clinical impact.
Evidence grades
- Established: Well documented — supported by controlled studies or strong clinical data.
- Probable: Good supporting evidence, though not definitively proven.
- Suspected: Some evidence suggests this interaction, but it is not well established.
- Possible: Limited or conflicting evidence; the interaction may occur.
- Theoretical: Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
Ratings come from the documented interaction literature and are reviewed by a pharmacist. They describe the documented risk of the combination, not what will necessarily happen to you — your dose, timing, and health picture all matter.
What happens
Increased or decreased effectiveness of barbiturates
Interaction Deep Dive
In mice and rats, the effect of capsaicin on the cytochrome P450 enzymes appears variable depending on the amount of time the enzymes have been exposed to this herb. Acute use is associated with inhibition of the enzymes while chronic use is associated with increased levels of the metabolizing enzymes1. Until the clinical significance of this interaction is better studied in humans, patients prescribed barbiturates are advised to avoid concomitant use of capsaicin.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Inhibition of cytochrome P450 enzymes with acute use of capsaicin; induction of cytochrome P450 enzymes with chronic use of capsaicin
Literature reports
1 report — tap to read
a) Capsaicin acetone extract and hexobarbital were administered intraperitoneally to mice or rats. Hexobarbital sleeping time and plasma hexobarbital concentrations were increased 31.2 percent and 12.3 percent, respectively, in the acute study but were decreased by 27.5 percent and 23 percent, respectively in the chronic study. The quantity of cytochrome P450 was increased by 22.4 percent, suggesting induction by chronic administration 1.
Common questions
Can I take Secobarbital and Capsaicin Topical together?
Increased or decreased effectiveness of barbiturates Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Secobarbital and Capsaicin Topical interaction?
It is rated moderate. Can be significant — usually manageable with monitoring.
How quickly could this interaction happen?
The documented onset is "rapid". Effects can appear quickly, often within about 24 hours of combining the drugs.
How strong is the evidence for this interaction?
The evidence is graded "theoretical". Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
Questions for your pharmacist
- Does my dose of Secobarbital or Capsaicin Topical need adjusting while I take them together?
- What symptoms should prompt me to call you or my prescriber right away?
- Does the timing of my doses matter for this combination?
- Is there anything you'd monitor while I'm on both?
References (1)
- Kong Y, Kim CS, Kim NK, et al: Effect of capsicum components on liver microsomal cytochrome P450 in rat. Kor J Pharmacog 1979; 10:17-22.
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