Drug Interactions and Evaluations
Alcohol & CNS Depressants |
Cimetidine, Oral Contraceptives & Disulfiram |
Theophylline & Ranitidine |
Kava-kava, St. Johns Wort, Valerian & Chamomile |
Grapefruit & Grapefruit Juice |
Flumazenil |
Antiparkinson Drugs |
Increased risk of dependance |
Increase the effects of benzos by effecting liver metabolism |
Decrease absorption and therefore decreases the therapeutic effects of benzos |
Can increase CNS depression when used concurrently with benzos |
Blood levels of certain benzos may be increased if taken after drinking grapefruit juice and lead to potentially dangerous side effects. |
The antidote for benzos |
decrease the antiparkinsonism effects of levodopa and increase phenytoin levels. |
(Clayton & Willihnganz, 2017).
("Are Ativan and Other Anti-Anxiety Medications Killing Celebrities?," 2017).
Recommended Evaluations |
Black Box Warning |
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The FDA has found that benzodiazepine drugs when used in combination with opioid medications or other sedating medications can result in serious adverse side effects. Patients taking opioids with benzodiazepines, other sedating medications, or alcohol should seek immediate medical attention if they start to experience unusual dizziness or lightheadedness, extreme sleepiness, slow or difficulty breathing, or unresponsiveness. adverse reactions including slowed or difficult breathing and death. Patients should not drive or operate heavy machinery until the drug’s effects are known. Benzodiazepines are a class IV narcotic capable of causing physical dependance. Take only as prescribed (Clayton & Willihnganz, 2017).
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