Skip to content

Drug interactions

Gabapentin enacarbil + Oxazepam

Severity: Major

Gabapentin enacarbil and Oxazepam: major 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

Gabapentinoids and benzodiazepines both depress the CNS, and together they raise the risk of marked sedation, dizziness and respiratory depression. The risk is highest in older adults, those with lung disease, and with higher doses.

What this interaction means in plain words

Gabapentin enacarbil and Oxazepam 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.

Gabapentin enacarbil belongs to Central Nervous System; Oxazepam belongs to Central Nervous System.

Evidence level: Moderate

Why it happens

Additive CNS and respiratory depression through GABAergic potentiation and gabapentinoid α2δ calcium channel modulation.

What to do

Use the lowest effective doses for the shortest duration and monitor for sedation and respiratory depression. Take particular care in patients with COPD, renal impairment or other CNS depressants.

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?

Bring a full list of your medicines, including over-the-counter products, supplements and herbal remedies, to every pharmacy visit.

Pro+ members

Unlock the full page

Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Gabapentin enacarbil and Oxazepam, 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 14 days on the web. No card needed.

Frequently asked questions

Can I take Gabapentin enacarbil with Oxazepam?

MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Gabapentin enacarbil and Oxazepam 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. Gabapentinoids and benzodiazepines both depress the CNS, and together they raise the risk of marked sedation, dizziness and respiratory depression. The risk is highest in older adults, those with lung disease, and with higher doses.

How serious is the interaction between Gabapentin enacarbil and Oxazepam?

MediHelp rates it major, 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 for the shortest duration and monitor for sedation and respiratory depression. Take particular care in patients with COPD, renal impairment or other CNS depressants.

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.

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.

Browse A–Z · Drug interactions

Get the app Sign in