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Can you take Clobazam with Rauwolfia serpentina?

1 drug interaction and 13 additional warnings found for the following 2 drugs:

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Drug interactions

Moderate drug interactions

Moderate:

rauwolfia serpentina cloBAZam

Applies to: rauwolfia serpentina and clobazam

CloBAZam and rauwolfia serpentina may have additive effects in lowering your blood pressure. You may experience headache, dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, or changes in pulse or heart rate, especially when treatment is started, the dose is changed, or treatment is restarted. Tell your doctor promptly if these symptoms occur and seek urgent medical help if you faint or have severe dizziness. Avoid driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medications affect you, and use caution when getting up from a sitting or lying position. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Food/lifestyle interactions

Moderate food/lifestyle interactions

Moderate:

cloBAZam Food/Lifestyle

Applies to: clobazam

Alcohol can increase the nervous system side effects of cloBAZam such as dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating. Some people may also experience impairment in thinking and judgment. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with cloBAZam. Do not use more than the recommended dose of cloBAZam, and avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medication affects you. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns.

Moderate:

rauwolfia serpentina Alcohol (Ethanol)

Applies to: rauwolfia serpentina

Ethanol and rauwolfia serpentina may have additive effects in lowering your blood pressure. You may experience headache, dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, or changes in pulse or heart rate, especially when treatment is started, the dose is changed, or treatment is restarted. Tell your doctor promptly if these symptoms occur and seek urgent medical help if you faint or have severe dizziness. Avoid driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medications affect you, and use caution when getting up from a sitting or lying position. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Disease interactions

11 potential interactions Applies to: 9 conditions, including Depression, Psychosis, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Peptic Ulcer, and Gallstones.

Acute Alcohol Intoxication

Major:

clobazam

cloBAZam has a major potential interaction with Acute Alcohol Intoxication.

The use of benzodiazepines with alcohol is not recommended. Patients with acute alcohol intoxication exhibit depressed vital signs. The central nervous system depressant effects of benzodiazepines may be additive with those of alcohol, and severe respiratory depression and death may occur. Therapy with benzodiazepines should be administered cautiously in patients who might be prone to acute alcohol intake.

Depression

Major:

rauwolfia serpentina

Rauwolfia serpentina has a major potential interaction with Depression.

The use of rauwolfia alkaloids is contraindicated in patients with a history of mental depression, especially suicidal tendencies. Rauwolfia alkaloids depletes catecholamine and serotonin stores.

Moderate:

clobazam

cloBAZam has a moderate potential interaction with Depression.

Benzodiazepines depress the central nervous system and may cause or exacerbate mental depression and cause suicidal behavior and ideation. Episodes of mania and hypomania have also been reported in depressed patients treated with some of these agents. Therapy with benzodiazepines should be administered cautiously in patients with a history of depression or other psychiatric disorders. Patients should be monitored for any changes in mood or behavior. It may be prudent to refrain from dispensing large quantities of medication to these patients.

Drug Dependence

Major:

clobazam

cloBAZam has a major potential interaction with Drug Dependence.

Benzodiazepines have the potential to cause dependence and abuse. Tolerance as well as physical and psychological dependence can develop, particularly after prolonged use and/or excessive dosages. However, abrupt cessation following continual use of as few as 6 weeks at therapeutic levels has occasionally precipitated withdrawal symptoms. Addiction- prone individuals, such as those with a history of alcohol or substance abuse, should be under careful surveillance when treated with benzodiazepines. It may be prudent to refrain from dispensing large quantities of medication to these patients. After prolonged use or if dependency is suspected, withdrawal of benzodiazepine therapy should be undertaken gradually using a dosage- tapering schedule. If withdrawal symptoms occur, temporary reinstitution of benzodiazepines may be necessary.

Fluid Retention

Moderate:

rauwolfia serpentina

Rauwolfia serpentina has a moderate potential interaction with Fluid Retention.

Peripheral- acting antiadrenergic agents can cause peripheral edema. Therapy with peripheral- acting antiadrenergic agents should be administered cautiously in patients adversely affected by sodium and water retention.

Gallstones

Moderate:

rauwolfia serpentina

Rauwolfia serpentina has a moderate potential interaction with Gallstones.

Rauwolfia alkaloids increase gastrointestinal motility and secretion and can precipitate biliary colic in patients with gallstones. Therapy with rauwolfia alkaloids should be administered cautiously in patients with a history of gallstones.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Major:

rauwolfia serpentina

Rauwolfia serpentina has a major potential interaction with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

The use of rauwolfia alkaloids is contraindicated in patients with active peptic ulcer or ulcerative colitis. Since rauwolfia alkaloids increase gastrointestinal motility and secretion, these conditions may be aggravated. Therapy with rauwolfia alkaloids should be administered cautiously in patients with a history of peptic ulcer or ulcerative colitis because of the risk of reactivation.

Peptic Ulcer

Major:

rauwolfia serpentina

Rauwolfia serpentina has a major potential interaction with Peptic Ulcer.

The use of rauwolfia alkaloids is contraindicated in patients with active peptic ulcer or ulcerative colitis. Since rauwolfia alkaloids increase gastrointestinal motility and secretion, these conditions may be aggravated. Therapy with rauwolfia alkaloids should be administered cautiously in patients with a history of peptic ulcer or ulcerative colitis because of the risk of reactivation.

Psychosis

Moderate:

clobazam

cloBAZam has a moderate potential interaction with Psychosis.

Benzodiazepines depress the central nervous system and may cause or exacerbate mental depression and cause suicidal behavior and ideation. Episodes of mania and hypomania have also been reported in depressed patients treated with some of these agents. Therapy with benzodiazepines should be administered cautiously in patients with a history of depression or other psychiatric disorders. Patients should be monitored for any changes in mood or behavior. It may be prudent to refrain from dispensing large quantities of medication to these patients.

Renal Dysfunction

Moderate:

clobazam

cloBAZam has a moderate potential interaction with Renal Dysfunction.

Benzodiazepines are excreted by the kidneys and should be used with caution in patients with impaired renal function and end-stage kidney disease.

Moderate:

rauwolfia serpentina

Rauwolfia serpentina has a moderate potential interaction with Renal Dysfunction.

In general, lowering the blood pressure may cause some decrease in renal function. Therefore, rauwolfia alkaloids should be used with caution in patients with renal impairment, since these patients may adjust poorly to the hypotensive effects of these agents.

More resources

clobazam

A total of 537 drugs are known to interact with clobazam.

rauwolfia serpentina

A total of 294 drugs are known to interact with rauwolfia serpentina.

Drug Interaction Classification

These classifications are only a guideline. The relevance of a particular drug interaction to a specific individual is difficult to determine. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medication.
Major Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit.
Moderate Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances.
Minor Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan.
Unknown No interaction information available.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.