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Can you take Clonazepam with Viramune?

1 drug interaction and 21 additional warnings found for the following 2 drugs:

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Drug interactions

Moderate drug interactions

Moderate:

clonazePAM nevirapine

Applies to: clonazepam and Viramune (nevirapine)

Nevirapine may decrease the blood levels and effects of clonazePAM.

Your doctor may be able to prescribe alternatives that do not interact, or you may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring to safely use both medications.

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:

clonazePAM Alcohol (Ethanol)

Applies to: clonazepam

Using clonazePAM together with ethanol (alcohol) can increase nervous system side effects such as:

  • dizziness
  • drowsiness
  • 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 clonazePAM. Do not use more than the recommended dose of clonazePAM, and avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medication affects you.

It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medication without first talking to your doctor.

Disease interactions

20 potential interactions Applies to: 15 conditions, including Depression, Weight Loss, Seizures, Psychosis, and Hemodialysis.

Acute Alcohol Intoxication

Major:

clonazepam

clonazePAM 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.

Asphyxia

Major:

clonazepam

clonazePAM has a major potential interaction with Asphyxia.

Benzodiazepines may cause respiratory depression and apnea, usually when given in high dosages and/or by intravenous administration. However, some patients may be susceptible at commonly used dosages, including the elderly, debilitated or severely ill patients, those receiving other CNS depressants, and those with limited ventilatory reserve, chronic pulmonary insufficiency or other respiratory disorders. Therapy with benzodiazepines should be administered cautiously in these patients. Appropriate monitoring and individualization of dosage are particularly important, and equipment for resuscitation should be immediately available if the parenteral route is used. Benzodiazepines, especially injectable formulations, should generally be avoided in patients with sleep apnea, severe respiratory insufficiency, or hypoxia.

Depression

Moderate:

clonazepam

clonazePAM 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.

Moderate:

clonazepam

clonazePAM has a moderate potential interaction with Depression.

Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) have been associated with an increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior in patients taking these drugs for any indication. Pooled analyses of 199 placebo-controlled clinical studies involving the use of 11 different AEDs showed that patients receiving AEDs had approximately twice the risk of suicidal thinking or behavior compared to patients receiving placebo. AEDs should be administered cautiously in patients with depression or other psychiatric disorders; phentermine-topiramate should be avoided in patients with history of suicidal attempts or active suicidal ideation. The risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior should be carefully assessed against the risk of untreated illness, bearing in mind that epilepsy and many other conditions for which AEDs are prescribed are themselves associated with morbidity and mortality and an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior. Patients, caregivers, and families should be alert to the emergence or worsening of signs and symptoms of depression, any unusual changes in mood or behavior, or the emergence of suicidal thoughts or behavior. If patients have symptoms of suicidal ideation or behavior, a dosage reduction or treatment discontinuation should be considered.

Dermatitis, Drug-Induced

Major:

Viramune

The nevirapine in Viramune has a major potential interaction with Dermatitis, Drug-Induced.

Nevirapine can cause severe, life-threatening skin reactions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, and hypersensitivity reactions characterized by rash, constitutional findings, and organ dysfunction including hepatic failure. Fatalities in association with these reactions have been reported. The first 6 weeks of therapy is the period of greatest risk, and intense monitoring is recommended during the first 18 weeks. In controlled clinical trials, Grade 3 and 4 rashes were reported during the first 6 weeks in 1.5 % of nevirapine-treated patients compared to 0.1% of placebo subjects. Patients who develop signs or symptoms of severe skin reactions or hypersensitivity reactions possibly related to nevirapine at any time during therapy must discontinue the drug and seek medical attention immediately. Because nevirapine-induced hepatitis and hepatic failure may be associated with hypersensitivity reactions, liver function tests should be performed in these patients as well as all patients who develop a rash within the first 18 weeks of treatment. Nevirapine should be permanently discontinued if clinical hepatitis or transaminase elevations combined with rash or other systemic symptoms occur, and should not be restarted after recovery. Nevirapine therapy should also not be restarted following severe skin or hypersensitivity reactions or a rash that is accompanied by fever, general malaise, fatigue, muscle or joint aches, blisters, oral lesions, conjunctivitis, facial edema, eosinophilia, granulocytopenia, lymphadenopathy, or renal dysfunction. During the initial 2-week lead-in period of 200 mg/day (4 mg/kg/day in pediatric patients), the dosage of nevirapine should not be increased if any rash occurs. Dose escalation should only be attempted after the rash resolves.

Drug Dependence

Major:

clonazepam

clonazePAM 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.

Glaucoma/Intraocular Hypertension

Major:

clonazepam

clonazePAM has a major potential interaction with Glaucoma/Intraocular Hypertension.

The manufacturers consider the use of benzodiazepines to be contraindicated in patients with acute angle-closure glaucoma or untreated open-angle glaucoma. These agents do not possess anticholinergic activity but have very rarely been associated with increased intraocular pressure.

Hemodialysis

Moderate:

Viramune

The nevirapine in Viramune has a moderate potential interaction with Hemodialysis.

Nevirapine is partially removed by hemodialysis. In a pharmacokinetic study of nevirapine in patients with renal impairment, six subjects requiring hemodialysis exhibited a 44% reduction in nevirapine systemic exposure (AUC) over a one-week period. There was also evidence of accumulation of nevirapine hydroxy-metabolites in plasma in these patients; however, the clinical significance is unknown. A supplemental dose following each dialysis session is indicated for patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis.

Hyperkinetic Syndrome of Childhood

Moderate:

clonazepam

clonazePAM has a moderate potential interaction with Hyperkinetic Syndrome of Childhood.

Paradoxical reactions, including excitability, irritability, aggressive behavior, agitation, nervousness, hostility, anxiety, sleep disturbances, nightmares and vivid dreams, have been reported with the use of benzodiazepines in psychiatric patients and pediatric patients with hyperactive aggressive disorders. Such patients should be monitored for signs of paradoxical stimulation during therapy with benzodiazepines. The manufacturers do not recommend the use of benzodiazepines for the treatment of psychosis.

Liver Disease

Major:

clonazepam

clonazePAM has a major potential interaction with Liver Disease.

The use of some benzodiazepines such as clonazepam and diazepam (oral tablets), is considered by the manufacturer to be contraindicated in patients with clinical or biochemical evidence of significant liver disease. These drugs are primarily metabolized by the liver and there is a risk of excess accumulation. Although all benzodiazepines may worsen hepatic encephalopathy, the manufacturer specifically recommends that lorazepam should be avoided in these patients.

Major:

Viramune

The nevirapine in Viramune has a major potential interaction with Liver Disease.

The use of nevirapine has been associated with severe, life-threatening, and fatal hepatotoxicity, particularly in the first 18 weeks of therapy. Fulminant and cholestatic hepatitis, hepatic necrosis, and hepatic failure have been reported. Nevirapine-induced hepatitis and hepatic failure may be associated with signs of hypersensitivity, which can include severe rash or rash accompanied by fever, general malaise, fatigue, muscle or joint aches, blisters, oral lesions, conjunctivitis, facial edema, eosinophilia, granulocytopenia, lymphadenopathy, or renal dysfunction. In controlled clinical trials, symptomatic hepatic events regardless of severity occurred on average in 4% (range 0% to 11%) of patients who received nevirapine and 1.2% of patients in control groups. The risk was greatest in the first 6 weeks of therapy and continued to be greater in the nevirapine groups compared to controls through 18 weeks of treatment. In general, the patients at greatest risk of hepatic events are women with high CD4 counts. During the first 6 weeks of treatment, women have a 3-fold higher risk than men for symptomatic, often rash-associated, hepatic events (5.8% vs. 2.2%). In a retrospective review, women with CD4 counts greater than 250 cells/mm3 had a 12-fold higher risk of symptomatic hepatic events compared to women with lower CD4 counts (11% vs. 0.9%). A 5-fold increased risk was observed in men with CD4 counts greater than 400 cells/mm3 compared to men with lower CD4 counts (6.3% vs. 1.2%). Additionally, coinfection with hepatitis B or C and/or increased liver function tests at the start of therapy are associated with a greater risk of later symptomatic events (6 weeks or more after starting nevirapine) and asymptomatic increases in AST or ALT. Therapy with nevirapine should be administered cautiously in patients with preexisting liver disease or liver function test abnormalities. Due to the risk of drug accumulation, nevirapine should not be administered to patients with severe hepatic impairment. All patients treated with nevirapine should undergo intensive clinical and laboratory monitoring (i.e., once a month or more) during the first 18 weeks of therapy, and regular monitoring thereafter. Liver function tests should be performed at baseline, prior to dose escalation, and at two weeks post-dose escalation. Patients should be instructed to discontinue nevirapine and seek medical attention promptly if signs and symptoms of hepatic injury or hypersensitivity develop such as fever, pruritus, rash, facial edema, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, right upper quadrant pain, dark urine, and jaundice. Nevirapine should be permanently discontinued if clinical hepatitis or transaminase elevations combined with rash or other systemic symptoms occur, and should not be restarted after recovery. In some cases, hepatic injury progresses despite discontinuation of treatment.

Psychosis

Moderate:

clonazepam

clonazePAM has a moderate potential interaction with Psychosis.

Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) have been associated with an increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior in patients taking these drugs for any indication. Pooled analyses of 199 placebo-controlled clinical studies involving the use of 11 different AEDs showed that patients receiving AEDs had approximately twice the risk of suicidal thinking or behavior compared to patients receiving placebo. AEDs should be administered cautiously in patients with depression or other psychiatric disorders; phentermine-topiramate should be avoided in patients with history of suicidal attempts or active suicidal ideation. The risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior should be carefully assessed against the risk of untreated illness, bearing in mind that epilepsy and many other conditions for which AEDs are prescribed are themselves associated with morbidity and mortality and an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior. Patients, caregivers, and families should be alert to the emergence or worsening of signs and symptoms of depression, any unusual changes in mood or behavior, or the emergence of suicidal thoughts or behavior. If patients have symptoms of suicidal ideation or behavior, a dosage reduction or treatment discontinuation should be considered.

Moderate:

clonazepam

clonazePAM 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.

Moderate:

clonazepam

clonazePAM has a moderate potential interaction with Psychosis.

Paradoxical reactions, including excitability, irritability, aggressive behavior, agitation, nervousness, hostility, anxiety, sleep disturbances, nightmares and vivid dreams, have been reported with the use of benzodiazepines in psychiatric patients and pediatric patients with hyperactive aggressive disorders. Such patients should be monitored for signs of paradoxical stimulation during therapy with benzodiazepines. The manufacturers do not recommend the use of benzodiazepines for the treatment of psychosis.

Pulmonary Impairment

Major:

clonazepam

clonazePAM has a major potential interaction with Pulmonary Impairment.

Benzodiazepines may cause respiratory depression and apnea, usually when given in high dosages and/or by intravenous administration. However, some patients may be susceptible at commonly used dosages, including the elderly, debilitated or severely ill patients, those receiving other CNS depressants, and those with limited ventilatory reserve, chronic pulmonary insufficiency or other respiratory disorders. Therapy with benzodiazepines should be administered cautiously in these patients. Appropriate monitoring and individualization of dosage are particularly important, and equipment for resuscitation should be immediately available if the parenteral route is used. Benzodiazepines, especially injectable formulations, should generally be avoided in patients with sleep apnea, severe respiratory insufficiency, or hypoxia.

Renal Dysfunction

Moderate:

clonazepam

clonazePAM 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:

Viramune

The nevirapine in Viramune has a moderate potential interaction with Renal Dysfunction.

Nevirapine metabolites are primarily eliminated by the kidney. The clinical significance of possible reduced metabolite clearance in renal impairment is uncertain. Therapy with nevirapine should be administered cautiously in patients with renal impairment.

Respiratory Arrest

Major:

clonazepam

clonazePAM has a major potential interaction with Respiratory Arrest.

Benzodiazepines may cause respiratory depression and apnea, usually when given in high dosages and/or by intravenous administration. However, some patients may be susceptible at commonly used dosages, including the elderly, debilitated or severely ill patients, those receiving other CNS depressants, and those with limited ventilatory reserve, chronic pulmonary insufficiency or other respiratory disorders. Therapy with benzodiazepines should be administered cautiously in these patients. Appropriate monitoring and individualization of dosage are particularly important, and equipment for resuscitation should be immediately available if the parenteral route is used. Benzodiazepines, especially injectable formulations, should generally be avoided in patients with sleep apnea, severe respiratory insufficiency, or hypoxia.

Seizures

Major:

clonazepam

clonazePAM has a major potential interaction with Seizures.

The use of benzodiazepines in patients with seizure disorders may increase the incidence or precipitate the onset of generalized tonic-clonic seizures (grand mal). Appropriate anticonvulsant medication might need to be initiated or the dosage increased. Abrupt cessation of benzodiazepine therapy may precipitate seizures and other withdrawal symptoms, particularly after prolonged use and/or excessive dosages. Status epilepticus may occur in patients with a history of seizures withdrawn rapidly from benzodiazepine therapy. Following chronic administration, cessation of benzodiazepine therapy should occur gradually with incrementally reduced dosages. Patients should be advised not to discontinue medication without first consulting with the physician.

Weight Loss

Moderate:

clonazepam

clonazePAM has a moderate potential interaction with Weight Loss.

The plasma half-lives of benzodiazepines may be prolonged in obese patients, presumably due to increased distribution into fat. Marked increases in distribution (> 100%) have been reported for diazepam and midazolam, and moderate increases (25% to 100%) for alprazolam, lorazepam, and oxazepam. Therapy with benzodiazepines should be administered cautiously in obese patients, with careful monitoring of CNS status. Longer dosing intervals may be appropriate. When dosing by weight, loading doses should be based on actual body weight, while maintenance dose should be based on ideal body weight to avoid toxicity.

More resources

clonazepam

A total of 554 drugs are known to interact with clonazepam.

Viramune

A total of 461 drugs are known to interact with Viramune.

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.