Drug interactions
Ketamine + Oxazepam
Severity: Moderate
Ketamine 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
Benzodiazepines are often combined with ketamine to reduce emergence reactions, but together they increase sedation and may cause respiratory depression and delayed recovery. Hemodynamic effects may also be altered.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ketamine 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.
Ketamine belongs to Central Nervous System; Oxazepam belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression from GABA-A potentiation and NMDA receptor antagonism.
What to do
Titrate ketamine to effect and monitor oxygenation, ventilation and hemodynamics. Be prepared for prolonged sedation.
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 Ketamine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Ketamine with Oxazepam?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Ketamine 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. Benzodiazepines are often combined with ketamine to reduce emergence reactions, but together they increase sedation and may cause respiratory depression and delayed recovery. Hemodynamic effects may also be altered.
How serious is the interaction between Ketamine 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: Titrate ketamine to effect and monitor oxygenation, ventilation and hemodynamics. Be prepared for prolonged sedation.
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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