Diazepam with Amitriptyline Interaction Details


Brand Names Associated with Diazepam

  • Diazepam
  • Diazepam Intensol®
  • Valium®
  • Valrelease®

Brand Names Associated with Amitriptyline

  • Amitid®
  • Amitril®
  • Amitriptyline
  • Duo-Vil® (as a combination product containing Amitriptyline, Perphenazine)
  • Elavil®
  • Endep®
  • Etrafon® (as a combination product containing Amitriptyline, Perphenazine)
  • Limbitrol® (as a combination product containing Amitriptyline, Chlordiazepoxide)
  • Triavil® (as a combination product containing Amitriptyline, Perphenazine)

Medical Content Editor
Last updated Nov 19, 2023


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Interaction Effect

Psychomotor deficits (decreased reaction time, decreased vigilance)


Interaction Summary

A controlled study observed that coadministration of diazepam with amitriptyline resulted in additive deficits in several psychomotor tests. The potential interaction between diazepam and amitriptyline was studied in four depressed patients receiving 75 to 150 mg daily of amitriptyline and 10 to 15 mg daily of diazepam . Researchers were unable to demonstrate any change in blood levels of amitriptyline or nortriptyline. Additional controlled studies or case reports are necessary to determine the degree of impairment resulting from coadministration of these two agents.


Severity

Moderate


Onset

Rapid


Evidence

Probable


How To Manage Interaction

If coadministration of amitriptyline with diazepam is necessary, patients should be warned that they may experience additive psychomotor impairment that may affect driving or other tasks requiring complex motor skills.


Mechanism Of Interaction

Additive psychomotor deficits


Literature Reports

A) In a controlled study of performance of 90 healthy volunteers, the effects of fluoxetine, amitriptyline, or placebo on diazepam were studied. Volunteers received one of six treatment combinations, and were given performance tests including a critical tracking test, divided attention test, visual search task, memory test, and vigilance test. Fluoxetine alone did not affect performance, but when fluoxetine was added to diazepam, there was a significant increase in the divided attention tracking error and significant impairment on the vigilance test. For amitriptyline alone and during coadministration with diazepam significant impairment was observed. On most tests, the combination of amitriptyline and diazepam resulted in additive effects. The authors concluded that the combination of diazepam and an antidepressant may increase an individual's risk during driving and while performing other complex tasks .

Diazepam Overview

  • Diazepam is used to relieve anxiety and to control agitation caused by alcohol withdrawal. It is also used along with other medications to control muscle spasms and spasticity caused by certain neurological disorders such as cerebral palsy (condition that causes difficulty with movement and balance), paraplegia (inability to move parts of the body), athetosis (abnormal muscle contractions), and stiff-man syndrome (a rare disorder with muscle rigidity and stiffness). Diazepam is also used along with other medications to control seizures. Diazepam is in a class of medications called benzodiazepines. It works by calming abnormal overactivity in the brain.

See More information Regarding Diazepam

Amitriptyline Overview

  • Amitriptyline is used to treat symptoms of depression. Amitriptyline is in a class of medications called tricyclic antidepressants. It works by increasing the amounts of certain natural substances in the brain that are needed to maintain mental balance.

See More information Regarding Amitriptyline

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Definitions

Severity Categories

Contraindicated

These drugs, generally, should not be used together simultaneously due to the high risk of severe adverse effects. Combining these medications can lead to dangerous health outcomes and should be strictly avoided unless otherwise instructed by your provider.


Major

This interaction could result in very serious and potentially life-threatening consequences. If you are taking this drug combination, it is very important to be under close medical supervision to minimize severe side effects and ensure your safety. It may be necessary to change a medication or dosage to prevent harm.


Moderate

This interaction has the potential to worsen your medical condition or alter the effectiveness of your treatment. It's important that you are monitored closely and you potentially may need to make adjustments in your treatment plan or drug dosage to maintain optimal health.


Minor

While this interaction is unlikely to cause significant problems, it could intensify side effects or reduce the effectiveness of one or both medications. Monitoring for changes in symptoms and your condition is recommended, and adjustments may be made if needed to manage any increased or more pronounced side effects.


Onset

Rapid: Onset of drug interaction typically occurs within 24 hours of co-administration.

Delayed: Onset of drug interaction typically occurs more than 24 hours after co-administration.


Evidence

Level of documentation of the interaction.

Established: The interaction is documented and substantiated in peer-reviewed medical literature.

Theoretical: This interaction is not fully supported by current medical evidence or well-documented sources, but it is based on known drug mechanisms, drug effects, and other relevant information.


How To Manage The Interaction

Provides a detailed discussion on how patients and clinicians can approach the identified drug interaction as well as offers guidance on what to expect and strategies to potentially mitigate the effects of the interaction. This may include recommendations on adjusting medication dosages, altering the timing of drug administration, or closely monitoring for specific symptoms.

It's important to note that all medical situations are unique, and management approaches should be tailored to individual circumstances. Patients should always consult their healthcare provider for personalized advice and guidance on managing drug interactions effectively.


Mechanism Of Interaction

The theorized or clinically determined reason (i.e., mechanism) why the drug-drug interaction occurs.


Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding your specific circumstances and medical conditions.

Where Does Our Information Come From?

Information for our drug interactions is compiled from several drug compendia, including:

The prescribing information for each drug, as published on DailyMED, is also used. 

Individual drug-drug interaction detail pages contain references specific to that interaction. You can click on the reference number within brackets '[]' to see what reference was utilized.

The information posted is fact-checked by HelloPharmacist clinicians and reviewed quarterly.