Drug interactions
Doxepin + Oxazepam
Severity: Moderate
Doxepin 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
Combining a benzodiazepine with the sedating tricyclic antidepressant doxepin increases drowsiness, psychomotor impairment and the risk of falls. Doxepin also has anticholinergic and antihistaminic effects that add to cognitive impairment, especially in older adults.
What this interaction means in plain words
Doxepin 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.
Doxepin belongs to Dermatology; Oxazepam belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive central nervous system depression through GABA-A enhancement by oxazepam and histamine H1 blockade by doxepin.
What to do
Use the lowest effective doses and counsel patients to avoid driving or hazardous tasks until the response is known. In older patients, consider whether both agents are needed and monitor for oversedation and falls.
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 Doxepin
- Doxepin + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Doxepin + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Doxepin + Procarbazine Contraindicated
- Doxepin + Safinamide Contraindicated
- Doxepin + Selegiline Contraindicated
- Doxepin + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Doxepin with Oxazepam?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Doxepin 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. Combining a benzodiazepine with the sedating tricyclic antidepressant doxepin increases drowsiness, psychomotor impairment and the risk of falls. Doxepin also has anticholinergic and antihistaminic effects that add to cognitive impairment, especially in older adults.
How serious is the interaction between Doxepin 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: Use the lowest effective doses and counsel patients to avoid driving or hazardous tasks until the response is known. In older patients, consider whether both agents are needed and monitor for oversedation and falls.
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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