🛑

Diazepam + Oxycodone

STOP — Contraindicated

FDA Black Box Warning — avoid concurrent use. Use lowest doses and shortest duration if absolutely necessary.

Evidence level: STRONG

What this interaction means

Taking oxycodone with diazepam is extremely dangerous. Both slow your breathing and can cause fatal respiratory depression. The FDA requires its strongest warning label on this combination.

How it works (mechanism)

Combined CNS depression: opioid mu-receptor agonism plus GABA-A receptor potentiation. FDA Black Box Warning on both drug classes.

Practical advice

Do not combine these medications without direct medical supervision. Avoid alcohol entirely. Have someone check on you if both are prescribed.

Timing

Take Diazepam 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.

Risk factors

Risk increases with higher doses of either substance, older age, liver or kidney impairment, and concurrent use of other serotonergic or CNS-depressant substances.

Symptoms to watch for

Extreme drowsiness, slow or stopped breathing, confusion, bluish skin color, inability to wake up

What to tell your doctor

Discuss alternatives: Can a non-opioid manage your pain? Can a non-benzodiazepine manage your anxiety or muscle spasms?

Safer alternatives

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.

Frequently asked questions

Can I take Diazepam and Oxycodone together?

Taking oxycodone with diazepam is extremely dangerous. Both slow your breathing and can cause fatal respiratory depression. The FDA requires its strongest warning label on this combination.

When should I take Diazepam vs Oxycodone?

Take Diazepam 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.

What symptoms should I watch for if I combine Diazepam and Oxycodone?

Extreme drowsiness, slow or stopped breathing, confusion, bluish skin color, inability to wake up

Are there safer alternatives to combining Diazepam with Oxycodone?

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.

What should I tell my doctor about taking Diazepam and Oxycodone?

Discuss alternatives: Can a non-opioid manage your pain? Can a non-benzodiazepine manage your anxiety or muscle spasms?

Explore more interactions

Or browse the full interaction database (121,000+ pairs).