benzodiazepine
8 interactions related to benzodiazepine
diazepam + kava
Kava's kavalactones act on the GABA-A receptor, the same system diazepam enhances, so combining them produces additive central nervous system depression and excessive sedation. A published case report describes a man who became semicomatose within days of adding kava to a benzodiazepine. Kava also carries a separate, documented liver-safety signal.
clonazepam + passionflower
Clonazepam is a benzodiazepine that calms the brain by enhancing GABA, its main inhibitory neurotransmitter. Passionflower appears to act on the same GABA system and may increase the sedative effect of benzodiazepines. Taken together, the most likely result is additive drowsiness. The human evidence is limited and mostly suggestive, so this is best treated as a caution rather than a proven hazard.
lorazepam + valerian
Valerian root contains valerenic acid and related compounds thought to modulate GABA-A receptor activity. Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine that also enhances GABA signaling. Taking them together may produce additive central nervous system depression, with a theoretical increase in drowsiness, slowed thinking, and impaired coordination. The interaction is mechanism-based and flagged as a precaution; human reports of serious harm are lacking, so it is best treated as a reason for caution rather than alarm.
alprazolam + melatonin
Alprazolam and melatonin both promote sleep and can produce additive sedation, so taking them together may increase drowsiness, slow reaction time, and carry over into next-day grogginess. The combination is generally manageable but warrants your prescriber's awareness, especially for older adults and anyone who drives in the morning.
alprazolam + kava
Kava's active compounds (kavalactones) act on the brain's GABA-A receptor, the same inhibitory system that alprazolam, a benzodiazepine, enhances. Taken together they cause additive central nervous system depression. A published case report describes a previously healthy 54-year-old man who became semi-comatose after three days of combining kava with his prescribed alprazolam, recovering once the kava was stopped. Kava also carries an independently documented risk of liver injury.
alcohol + alprazolam
Alcohol and alprazolam (Xanax) both depress the central nervous system by enhancing GABA-A receptor activity. Taken together they produce additive — and sometimes synergistic — sedation, slowed breathing, and impaired coordination, which substantially raises the risk of overdose and death even when neither is taken in a large amount.
alcohol + diazepam
Diazepam (Valium) and alcohol are both central nervous system depressants that act on the GABA-A receptor, producing additive and sometimes greater-than-additive sedation with a real risk of dangerously slowed breathing, loss of consciousness, and death. Diazepam and its active breakdown products linger in the body for days, so the dangerous window extends well beyond a single dose.
hot chocolate + sleep medications
Hot chocolate contains caffeine and theobromine, methylxanthines that block adenosine receptors and mildly promote wakefulness. Because sleep medications such as zolpidem, eszopiclone, and benzodiazepines work by dampening wakefulness, an evening cup can work in the opposite direction. The amount of caffeine in hot chocolate is small, so the practical effect for most people is minor, but timing it well away from bedtime is a simple, sensible habit.