Ethyl Alcohol/Benzodiazepines Interactions

This information is generalized and not intended as specific medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional before taking or discontinuing any drug or commencing any course of treatment.

Medical warning:

Serious. These medicines may interact and cause very harmful effects. Contact your healthcare professional (e.g. doctor or pharmacist) for more information.

How the interaction occurs:

Alcohol may allow more of your benzodiazepine to reach your brain, resulting in increased effects.

What might happen:

Using benzodiazepines with alcohol may lead to decreased mental and motor function. Symptoms may include feelings of depression or drowsiness. Increased side effects such as dizziness, slow and difficult breathing, confusion, and/or loss of coordination may also occur.

What you should do about this interaction:

Avoid drinking alcohol while taking your benzodiazepine. Alcohol is also contained in many medicines. Discuss the amount of alcohol in your medicines with your healthcare professional (e.g. doctor or pharmacist).If you notice any new or worse side effects, contact your healthcare professional. Your doctor may want to change your medicines.Your healthcare professionals may already be aware of this interaction and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.

View Reference
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