Butorphanol and Doxepin interaction
Butorphanol and Doxepin: both prescribing labels flag this combination with the strongest language, such as a contraindication, a boxed warning, or an instruction to avoid it.
Do not combine without a prescriber's guidance. The label language below is the strongest FDA uses.
What the FDA labels say
From the Butorphanol (Butorphanol Tartrate) label · effective 2026-01-02
Risks From Concomitant Use With Benzodiazepines Or Other CNS Depressants Concomitant use of opioids with benzodiazepines or other central nervous system (CNS) depressants, including alcohol, may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death.
Reserve concomitant prescribing of Butorphanol Tartrate Injection and benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants for use in patients for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate [see WARNINGS , PRECAUTIONS ; Drug Interactions ] .
Risks from Concomitant Use with Benzodiazepines or Other CNS Depressants Profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death may result from the concomitant use of butorphanol tartrate with benzodiazepines and/or other CNS depressants, including alcohol (e.g., non-benzodiazepine sedatives/hypnotics, anxiolytics, tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, general…
Advise both patients and caregivers about the risks of respiratory depression and sedation when butorphanol tartrate is used with benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants (including alcohol and illicit drugs).
Screen patients for risk of substance use disorders, including opioid abuse and misuse, and warn them of the risk for overdose and death associated with the use of additional CNS depressants including alcohol and illicit drugs [see PRECAUTIONS; Information for Patients , Drug Interactions ] .
From the Doxepin (Silenor) label · effective 2026-04-21
Potential additive effects when used in combination with CNS depressants or sedating antihistamines.
Although behaviors such as "sleep-driving" may occur with hypnotics alone at therapeutic doses, the use of alcohol and other CNS depressants with hypnotics appears to increase the risk of such behaviors, as does the use of hypnotics at doses exceeding the maximum recommended dose.
When taken with SILENOR, the sedative effects of alcoholic beverages, sedating antihistamines, and other CNS depressants may be potentiated [s ee Warnings and Precautions (5.2) and Drug Interactions (7.3 , 7.4) ].
Patients should be cautioned about potential additive effects of SILENOR used in combination with CNS depressants or sedating antihistamines [s ee Warnings and Precautions (5.2) and Drug Interactions (7.4) ].
CNS Depressants and Sedating Antihistamines: Sedative effects may be increased with doxepin.
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Open in the checkerNot medical advice. Interaction Checker quotes FDA label text and NIH fact sheets. Whether an interaction matters for you depends on doses, timing, kidney and liver function, and other conditions. Confirm with a pharmacist or prescriber.