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Drug interactions

Chlordiazepoxide + Ketoconazole

Severity: Moderate

Chlordiazepoxide and Ketoconazole: 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

Ketoconazole can increase chlordiazepoxide concentrations, leading to greater sedation, psychomotor impairment and respiratory depression, particularly in older adults or with other CNS depressants.

What this interaction means in plain words

Chlordiazepoxide and Ketoconazole 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.

Chlordiazepoxide belongs to Central Nervous System; Ketoconazole belongs to Anti Fungals.

Evidence level: Moderate

Why it happens

Ketoconazole inhibits CYP3A4-mediated oxidative metabolism of chlordiazepoxide.

What to do

Monitor for excess sedation and consider lowering the chlordiazepoxide dose. Consider a benzodiazepine cleared by glucuronidation, such as lorazepam, if long-term coadministration is needed.

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?

Bring a full list of your medicines, including over-the-counter products, supplements and herbal remedies, to every pharmacy visit.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I take Chlordiazepoxide with Ketoconazole?

MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Chlordiazepoxide and Ketoconazole 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. Ketoconazole can increase chlordiazepoxide concentrations, leading to greater sedation, psychomotor impairment and respiratory depression, particularly in older adults or with other CNS depressants.

How serious is the interaction between Chlordiazepoxide and Ketoconazole?

MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor for excess sedation and consider lowering the chlordiazepoxide dose. Consider a benzodiazepine cleared by glucuronidation, such as lorazepam, if long-term coadministration is needed.

What other medicines interact with Ketoconazole?

MediHelp also lists interactions of Ketoconazole with, for example, Alfuzosin, Alprazolam, Avanafil. The full list is on the Ketoconazole page.

Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app

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