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Drug interactions

Clonazepam + Etomidate

Severity: Moderate

Clonazepam and Etomidate: 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

Etomidate is an intravenous anesthetic that potentiates GABA-A receptors; with clonazepam, sedative and hypnotic effects can be additive. Anesthesia teams commonly encounter this in patients on chronic benzodiazepines.

What this interaction means in plain words

Clonazepam and Etomidate 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.

Clonazepam belongs to Central Nervous System; Etomidate belongs to Central Nervous System.

Evidence level: Moderate

Why it happens

Additive GABA-A receptor-mediated CNS depression.

What to do

Titrate the etomidate dose to effect and monitor airway, breathing and hemodynamics during induction.

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 Clonazepam with Etomidate?

MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Clonazepam and Etomidate 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. Etomidate is an intravenous anesthetic that potentiates GABA-A receptors; with clonazepam, sedative and hypnotic effects can be additive. Anesthesia teams commonly encounter this in patients on chronic benzodiazepines.

How serious is the interaction between Clonazepam and Etomidate?

MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Titrate the etomidate dose to effect and monitor airway, breathing and hemodynamics during induction.

What other medicines interact with Clonazepam?

MediHelp also lists interactions of Clonazepam with, for example, Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates, Sodium oxybate, Alfentanil. The full list is on the Clonazepam page.

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

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