Skip to content

Drug interactions

Oxazepam + Oxymorphone

Severity: Major

Oxazepam and Oxymorphone: 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

Concurrent opioids and benzodiazepines can cause profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma and death, as stated in a boxed warning. Risk is highest at higher doses and in older or respiratory-compromised patients.

What this interaction means in plain words

Oxazepam and Oxymorphone 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.

Oxazepam belongs to Central Nervous System; Oxymorphone belongs to Musculoskeletal.

Evidence level: High

Why it happens

Additive CNS and respiratory depression via opioid receptors and GABA-A potentiation.

What to do

Avoid the combination where possible; if needed, use the lowest doses for the shortest duration and monitor closely for sedation and respiratory depression. Counsel patients and caregivers on warning signs.

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 Oxazepam and Oxymorphone, 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 Oxazepam with Oxymorphone?

MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Oxazepam and Oxymorphone 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. Concurrent opioids and benzodiazepines can cause profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma and death, as stated in a boxed warning. Risk is highest at higher doses and in older or respiratory-compromised patients.

How serious is the interaction between Oxazepam and Oxymorphone?

MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid the combination where possible; if needed, use the lowest doses for the shortest duration and monitor closely for sedation and respiratory depression. Counsel patients and caregivers on warning signs.

What other medicines interact with Oxymorphone?

MediHelp also lists interactions of Oxymorphone with, for example, Alvimopan, Ethanol, Isocarboxazid. The full list is on the Oxymorphone 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