Skip to content

Drug interactions

Sodium oxybate + Ziprasidone

Severity: Major

Sodium oxybate and Ziprasidone: 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

Sodium oxybate is a potent CNS depressant, and ziprasidone adds sedation. Together they may cause profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma or death.

What this interaction means in plain words

Sodium oxybate and Ziprasidone 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.

Sodium oxybate belongs to Central Nervous System; Ziprasidone belongs to Central Nervous System.

Evidence level: Moderate

Why it happens

Additive central nervous system and respiratory depression.

What to do

Avoid the combination if possible. If both are needed, use the lowest effective doses for the shortest time and monitor closely for sedation and respiratory depression.

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 Sodium oxybate and Ziprasidone, 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 Sodium oxybate with Ziprasidone?

MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Sodium oxybate and Ziprasidone 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. Sodium oxybate is a potent CNS depressant, and ziprasidone adds sedation. Together they may cause profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma or death.

How serious is the interaction between Sodium oxybate and Ziprasidone?

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 if possible. If both are needed, use the lowest effective doses for the shortest time and monitor closely for sedation and respiratory depression.

What other medicines interact with Ziprasidone?

MediHelp also lists interactions of Ziprasidone with, for example, Amiodarone, Amitriptyline, Arsenic trioxide. The full list is on the Ziprasidone 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