Drug interactions
Diazepam + Diphenoxylate
Severity: Moderate
Diazepam and Diphenoxylate: 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
Diphenoxylate is an opioid and can add to diazepam sedation, particularly at high doses or in vulnerable patients. Respiratory depression is possible in overdose.
What this interaction means in plain words
Diazepam and Diphenoxylate 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.
Diazepam belongs to Musculoskeletal; Diphenoxylate belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression from opioid agonism and GABA-A potentiation.
What to do
Keep to labeled doses and monitor for excess sedation and slowed breathing.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Diazepam and Diphenoxylate, 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.
Other interactions of Diazepam
Other interactions of Diphenoxylate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Diazepam with Diphenoxylate?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Diazepam and Diphenoxylate 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. Diphenoxylate is an opioid and can add to diazepam sedation, particularly at high doses or in vulnerable patients. Respiratory depression is possible in overdose.
How serious is the interaction between Diazepam and Diphenoxylate?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Keep to labeled doses and monitor for excess sedation and slowed breathing.
What other medicines interact with Diazepam?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Diazepam with, for example, Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates, Alfentanil, Alprazolam. The full list is on the Diazepam 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.
