Drug interactions
Clozapine + Ethanol
Severity: Major
Clozapine and Ethanol: 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
Alcohol and clozapine both depress the central nervous system, so together they intensify drowsiness, impair coordination and judgement, and can worsen hypotension. Alcohol may also lower the seizure threshold, adding to clozapine's seizure risk.
What this interaction means in plain words
Clozapine and Ethanol 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.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression and hypotensive effects, with added lowering of seizure threshold.
What to do
Advise patients to avoid alcohol while on clozapine, and to avoid driving or hazardous tasks if they have drunk alcohol. Monitor for sedation and hypotension and address alcohol misuse.
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 Clozapine and Ethanol, 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 Clozapine
- Clozapine + Deferiprone Contraindicated
- Clozapine + Irinotecan Contraindicated
- Clozapine + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Clozapine + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Acalabrutinib + Clozapine Major
- Adagrasib + Clozapine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Clozapine with Ethanol?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Clozapine and Ethanol 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. Alcohol and clozapine both depress the central nervous system, so together they intensify drowsiness, impair coordination and judgement, and can worsen hypotension. Alcohol may also lower the seizure threshold, adding to clozapine's seizure risk.
How serious is the interaction between Clozapine and Ethanol?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Advise patients to avoid alcohol while on clozapine, and to avoid driving or hazardous tasks if they have drunk alcohol. Monitor for sedation and hypotension and address alcohol misuse.
What other medicines interact with Clozapine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Clozapine with, for example, Deferiprone, Irinotecan, Pimozide. The full list is on the Clozapine 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.
