Drug interactions
Chlordiazepoxide + Gabapentin
Severity: Major
Chlordiazepoxide and Gabapentin: major interaction.
Last updated Sources: UK SmPC
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
Gabapentin combined with a benzodiazepine produces additive central nervous system depression, with more sedation, dizziness and impaired psychomotor performance. Respiratory depression can occur, particularly in older patients, those with lung disease, or at higher doses.
What this interaction means in plain words
Chlordiazepoxide and Gabapentin can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Chlordiazepoxide belongs to Central Nervous System; Gabapentin belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive pharmacodynamic CNS and respiratory depression from GABAergic benzodiazepine action plus gabapentinoid effects.
What to do
Use the lowest effective doses of both drugs and monitor for sedation and respiratory depression, especially at initiation and after dose increases. Counsel patients to avoid alcohol and driving until the response is known.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Chlordiazepoxide and Gabapentin, 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.
References
Other interactions of Chlordiazepoxide
Other interactions of Gabapentin
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Chlordiazepoxide with Gabapentin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Chlordiazepoxide and Gabapentin can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Gabapentin combined with a benzodiazepine produces additive central nervous system depression, with more sedation, dizziness and impaired psychomotor performance. Respiratory depression can occur, particularly in older patients, those with lung disease, or at higher doses.
How serious is the interaction between Chlordiazepoxide and Gabapentin?
MediHelp rates it major, 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 of both drugs and monitor for sedation and respiratory depression, especially at initiation and after dose increases. Counsel patients to avoid alcohol and driving until the response is known.
What other medicines interact with Chlordiazepoxide?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Chlordiazepoxide with, for example, Alfentanil, Alprazolam, Amobarbital. The full list is on the Chlordiazepoxide 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.
