Butalbital, aspirin, caffeine, and codeine and Divalproex (valproate) interaction
Butalbital, aspirin, caffeine, and codeine and Divalproex (valproate): both prescribing labels flag this combination with the strongest language, such as a contraindication, a boxed warning, or an instruction to avoid it.
Do not combine without a prescriber's guidance. The label language below is the strongest FDA uses.
What the FDA labels say
From the Butalbital, aspirin, caffeine, and codeine (BUTALBITAL, ASPIRIN, CAFFEINE and CODEINE PHOSPHATE) label · effective 2026-01-15
Concomitant use of opioids or a barbiturate with benzodiazepines or other central nervous system (CNS) depressants, including alcohol, may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death.
Risks From Concomitant Use With Benzodiazepines Or Other CNS Depressants Concomitant use of opioids with benzodiazepines or other central nervous system (CNS) depressants, including alcohol, may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death.
Reserve concomitant prescribing of BUTALBITAL, ASPIRIN, CAFFEINE and CODEINE PHOSPHATE and benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants for use in patients for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate. [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 , 5.9 ), Drug Interactions ( 7 )].
Risks from Concomitant Use with Benzodiazepines or Other CNS Depressants Profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death may result from the concomitant use of BUTALBITAL, ASPIRIN, CAFFEINE and CODEINE PHOSPHATE with benzodiazepines and/or other CNS depressants, including alcohol (e.g., non-benzodiazepine sedatives/hypnotics, anxiolytics, tranquilizers,…
Screen patients for risk of substance use disorders, including opioid abuse and misuse, and warn them of the risk for overdose and death associated with the use of additional CNS depressants including alcohol and illicit drugs [see Drug Interactions ( 7 ) and Patient Counseling Information ( 17 ) ].
From the Divalproex (valproate) (Depakote ER) label · effective 2026-03-31
Aspirin, carbapenem antibiotics, estrogen-containing hormonal contraceptives, methotrexate: Monitoring of valproate concentrations is recommended ( 7.1 )
Drugs for which a potentially important interaction has been observed Aspirin A study involving the co-administration of aspirin at antipyretic doses (11 to 16 mg/kg) with valproate to pediatric patients (n=6) revealed a decrease in protein binding and an inhibition of metabolism of valproate.
Valproate free fraction was increased 4-fold in the presence of aspirin compared to valproate alone.
The β-oxidation pathway consisting of 2-E-valproic acid, 3-OH-valproic acid, and 3-keto valproic acid was decreased from 25% of total metabolites excreted on valproate alone to 8.3% in the presence of aspirin.
Whether or not the interaction observed in this study applies to adults is unknown, but caution should be observed if valproate and aspirin are to be co-administered.
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Open in the checkerNot medical advice. Interaction Checker quotes FDA label text and NIH fact sheets. Whether an interaction matters for you depends on doses, timing, kidney and liver function, and other conditions. Confirm with a pharmacist or prescriber.