Drug interactions
Amitriptyline + Oxazepam
Severity: Moderate
Amitriptyline 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
Amitriptyline is strongly sedating and combined with a benzodiazepine can cause marked drowsiness, psychomotor impairment and, in overdose, respiratory depression. Older adults are especially vulnerable to falls and confusion.
What this interaction means in plain words
Amitriptyline 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.
Amitriptyline belongs to Central Nervous System; Oxazepam belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression via GABA-A potentiation and antihistaminic/anticholinergic effects of the tricyclic.
What to do
Use the lowest effective doses, monitor sedation and cognition, and avoid the combination where possible in elderly patients.
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 Oxazepam
- Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates + Oxazepam Contraindicated
- Oxazepam + Sodium oxybate Contraindicated
- Alfentanil + Oxazepam Major
- Amobarbital + Oxazepam Major
- Baclofen + Oxazepam Major
- Belladonna and opium + Oxazepam Major
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 Oxazepam?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Amitriptyline 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. Amitriptyline is strongly sedating and combined with a benzodiazepine can cause marked drowsiness, psychomotor impairment and, in overdose, respiratory depression. Older adults are especially vulnerable to falls and confusion.
How serious is the interaction between Amitriptyline 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: Use the lowest effective doses, monitor sedation and cognition, and avoid the combination where possible in elderly patients.
What other medicines interact with Oxazepam?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Oxazepam with, for example, Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates, Sodium oxybate, Alfentanil. The full list is on the Oxazepam page.
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