Drug interactions
Alprazolam + Oxazepam
Severity: Moderate
Alprazolam and Oxazepam: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Two benzodiazepines taken together provide duplicate therapy and add to sedation, psychomotor impairment and respiratory depression. Risk of dependence and falls also increases.
What this interaction means in plain words
Alprazolam and Oxazepam can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Alprazolam belongs to Central Nervous System; Oxazepam belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive GABA-A receptor potentiation producing CNS depression.
What to do
Avoid routine concurrent use of two benzodiazepines and consolidate to a single agent where possible. If overlap is unavoidable, such as during a switch, use the lowest doses and monitor sedation.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Alprazolam
- Alprazolam + Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates Contraindicated
- Alprazolam + Itraconazole Contraindicated
- Alprazolam + Ketoconazole Contraindicated
- Alprazolam + Levoketoconazole Contraindicated
- Alprazolam + Sodium oxybate Contraindicated
- Alfentanil + Alprazolam Major
Other interactions of Oxazepam
- Alfentanil + Oxazepam Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Alprazolam with Oxazepam?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Alprazolam and Oxazepam can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Two benzodiazepines taken together provide duplicate therapy and add to sedation, psychomotor impairment and respiratory depression. Risk of dependence and falls also increases.
How serious is the interaction between Alprazolam and Oxazepam?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid routine concurrent use of two benzodiazepines and consolidate to a single agent where possible. If overlap is unavoidable, such as during a switch, use the lowest doses and monitor sedation.
What other medicines interact with Alprazolam?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Alprazolam with, for example, Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates, Itraconazole, Ketoconazole. The full list is on the Alprazolam page.
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