Drug interactions
Oxazepam + Zotepine
Severity: Moderate
Oxazepam and Zotepine: 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
Zotepine is a sedating antipsychotic, and with a benzodiazepine the central depressant effects are additive. This can produce marked drowsiness, impaired coordination and hypotension. Zotepine also lowers the seizure threshold, which complicates benzodiazepine dose changes.
What this interaction means in plain words
Oxazepam and Zotepine 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.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression from GABA-A potentiation and antagonism of histaminergic, adrenergic and dopaminergic receptors.
What to do
Use the lowest effective doses and monitor for sedation, orthostatic hypotension and falls. Avoid abrupt benzodiazepine withdrawal because of seizure risk with zotepine.
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
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Oxazepam with Zotepine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Oxazepam and Zotepine 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. Zotepine is a sedating antipsychotic, and with a benzodiazepine the central depressant effects are additive. This can produce marked drowsiness, impaired coordination and hypotension. Zotepine also lowers the seizure threshold, which complicates benzodiazepine dose changes.
How serious is the interaction between Oxazepam and Zotepine?
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 sedation, orthostatic hypotension and falls. Avoid abrupt benzodiazepine withdrawal because of seizure risk with zotepine.
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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