Drug interactions
Oxazepam + Primidone
Severity: Moderate
Oxazepam and Primidone: 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
Primidone is metabolized to phenobarbital, so it adds barbiturate-type sedation to oxazepam. The combination can cause marked drowsiness, ataxia and respiratory depression.
What this interaction means in plain words
Oxazepam and Primidone 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.
Oxazepam belongs to Central Nervous System; Primidone belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive GABA-A mediated CNS depression from primidone and its metabolite phenobarbital.
What to do
Monitor for sedation and impaired coordination, particularly at initiation or dose increases. Reduce doses if oversedation occurs.
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 Primidone
- Lorlatinib + Primidone Contraindicated
- Lurasidone + Primidone Contraindicated
- Primidone + Ranolazine Contraindicated
- Primidone + Sofosbuvir-velpatasvir-voxilaprevir Contraindicated
- Primidone + Voriconazole Contraindicated
- Abiraterone + Primidone Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Oxazepam with Primidone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Oxazepam and Primidone 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. Primidone is metabolized to phenobarbital, so it adds barbiturate-type sedation to oxazepam. The combination can cause marked drowsiness, ataxia and respiratory depression.
How serious is the interaction between Oxazepam and Primidone?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor for sedation and impaired coordination, particularly at initiation or dose increases. Reduce doses if oversedation occurs.
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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