Drug interactions
Diphenoxylate + Oxazepam
Severity: Moderate
Diphenoxylate and Oxazepam: 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 with a benzodiazepine it may increase drowsiness and CNS depression, with greater risk in children, older adults or overdose.
What this interaction means in plain words
Diphenoxylate and Oxazepam 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 belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract; Oxazepam belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression from opioid agonism and GABA-A potentiation.
What to do
Monitor sedation and breathing, and keep to recommended diphenoxylate doses. Counsel patients to avoid alcohol and driving.
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?
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Other interactions of Oxazepam
- Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates + Oxazepam Contraindicated
- Oxazepam + Sodium oxybate Contraindicated
- Alfentanil + Oxazepam Major
- Amobarbital + Oxazepam Major
- Baclofen + Oxazepam Major
- Belladonna and opium + Oxazepam Major
Other interactions of Diphenoxylate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Diphenoxylate with Oxazepam?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Diphenoxylate and Oxazepam 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 with a benzodiazepine it may increase drowsiness and CNS depression, with greater risk in children, older adults or overdose.
How serious is the interaction between Diphenoxylate and Oxazepam?
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 sedation and breathing, and keep to recommended diphenoxylate doses. Counsel patients to avoid alcohol and driving.
What other medicines interact with Oxazepam?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Oxazepam with, for example, Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates, Sodium oxybate, Alfentanil. The full list is on the Oxazepam page.
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