Drug interactions
Nortriptyline + Oxazepam
Severity: Moderate
Nortriptyline 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 a tricyclic antidepressant can increase drowsiness, psychomotor impairment and anticholinergic-related confusion, especially in older patients. Falls and accidents are more likely.
What this interaction means in plain words
Nortriptyline 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.
Nortriptyline belongs to Central Nervous System; Oxazepam belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression from GABA-A potentiation and the antihistaminic and anticholinergic actions of nortriptyline.
What to do
Use the lowest effective doses and monitor for oversedation, confusion and falls. Avoid alcohol and counsel on 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 Nortriptyline
- Disopyramide + Nortriptyline Contraindicated
- Dofetilide + Nortriptyline Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Nortriptyline Contraindicated
- Ibutilide + Nortriptyline Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Nortriptyline Contraindicated
- Methylene blue + Nortriptyline Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Nortriptyline with Oxazepam?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Nortriptyline 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 a tricyclic antidepressant can increase drowsiness, psychomotor impairment and anticholinergic-related confusion, especially in older patients. Falls and accidents are more likely.
How serious is the interaction between Nortriptyline 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 monitor for oversedation, confusion and falls. Avoid alcohol and counsel on 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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