Drug interactions
Amitriptyline + Lorazepam
Severity: Moderate
Amitriptyline and Lorazepam: 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
Both drugs cause sedation, and their combination increases drowsiness, cognitive and psychomotor impairment and fall risk. Amitriptyline's anticholinergic effects add to confusion in older adults.
What this interaction means in plain words
Amitriptyline and Lorazepam 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.
Amitriptyline belongs to Central Nervous System; Lorazepam belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression through GABA-A potentiation plus H1 and anticholinergic effects of the tricyclic.
What to do
Use the lowest effective doses and monitor sedation, especially at initiation and in the elderly. Advise patients to avoid alcohol and driving until the response is known.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Amitriptyline and Lorazepam, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Lorazepam
Other interactions of Amitriptyline
- Amitriptyline + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Methylene blue Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Procarbazine Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Safinamide Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Amitriptyline with Lorazepam?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Amitriptyline and Lorazepam 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. Both drugs cause sedation, and their combination increases drowsiness, cognitive and psychomotor impairment and fall risk. Amitriptyline's anticholinergic effects add to confusion in older adults.
How serious is the interaction between Amitriptyline and Lorazepam?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Use the lowest effective doses and monitor sedation, especially at initiation and in the elderly. Advise patients to avoid alcohol and driving until the response is known.
What other medicines interact with Lorazepam?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Lorazepam with, for example, Alfentanil, Alprazolam, Amobarbital. The full list is on the Lorazepam page.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
