STOP — Contraindicated
FDA Black Box Warning — avoid concurrent use unless no alternatives exist.
Evidence level: STRONG
Combining an opioid with a benzodiazepine is extremely dangerous. Both slow your breathing and brain activity. The FDA has placed its strongest warning on this combination because deaths have occurred.
Combined CNS depression: opioid mu-receptor agonism plus GABA-A receptor potentiation causes additive respiratory depression. FDA Black Box Warning.
Never take these together without explicit doctor supervision. If both are prescribed, use the lowest doses for the shortest time. Do not drink alcohol with either medication.
Take Clonazepam only as prescribed — benzodiazepines carry dependence risk and should not be adjusted without medical guidance. Oxycodone at a separate time. Benzodiazepines cause sedation — avoid combining with other sedating substances. Never increase dose without medical guidance.
Higher risk for: elderly, opioid-naive patients, those with sleep apnea, respiratory conditions, concurrent CNS depressants (benzodiazepines, alcohol), liver impairment, or history of substance use disorder.
Extreme drowsiness, slowed or shallow breathing, unresponsiveness, bluish lips, loss of consciousness
Ask your doctor about non-opioid pain alternatives or non-benzodiazepine anxiety treatments. Request a plan to discontinue one medication.
Opioid combinations carry serious risks including respiratory depression. Talk to your pain management specialist about non-opioid alternatives: physical therapy, NSAIDs (if appropriate), nerve blocks, or non-sedating supplements like PEA (palmitoylethanolamide) or curcumin for inflammation.
Combining an opioid with a benzodiazepine is extremely dangerous. Both slow your breathing and brain activity. The FDA has placed its strongest warning on this combination because deaths have occurred.
Take Clonazepam only as prescribed — benzodiazepines carry dependence risk and should not be adjusted without medical guidance. Oxycodone at a separate time. Benzodiazepines cause sedation — avoid combining with other sedating substances. Never increase dose without medical guidance.
Extreme drowsiness, slowed or shallow breathing, unresponsiveness, bluish lips, loss of consciousness
Opioid combinations carry serious risks including respiratory depression. Talk to your pain management specialist about non-opioid alternatives: physical therapy, NSAIDs (if appropriate), nerve blocks, or non-sedating supplements like PEA (palmitoylethanolamide) or curcumin for inflammation.
Ask your doctor about non-opioid pain alternatives or non-benzodiazepine anxiety treatments. Request a plan to discontinue one medication.
Or browse the full interaction database (121,000+ pairs).