Carbamazepine and Temazepam interaction
Carbamazepine and Temazepam: 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 Carbamazepine (EQUETRO) label · effective 2025-08-19
CNS Depressants The concomitant use of EQUETRO and other CNS depressants can increase the risk of respiratory depression, profound sedation, hypotension, and syncope.
Consider reducing the dose of CNS depressants or EQUETRO when using these drugs concomitantly.
Cytochrome (CYP) 3A4 inhibitors, epoxide hydrolase inhibitors, CYP3A4 inducers, drugs metabolized by CYP1A2 or CYP3A4 (oral contraceptives, delavirdine, nefazodone), phenytoin, CNS depressants, lithium, chloroquine, mefloquine ( 7.1 , 7.2 , 7.3 )
CNS depressants include: alcohol, opioid analgesics, benzodiazepines, tricyclic antidepressants, sedative/hypnotics, anticonvulsants, antipsychotics, antihistamines, anticholinergics, alpha and beta blockers, general anesthetics, muscle relaxants, and illicit CNS depressants.
From the Temazepam label · effective 2026-06-04
Although behaviors such as “sleep-driving” may occur with temazepam capsules alone at therapeutic doses, the use of alcohol and other CNS depressants with temazepam capsules appear to increase the risk of such behaviors, as does the use of temazepam capsules at doses exceeding the maximum recommended dose.
The benzodiazepines, including temazepam, produce additive CNS-depressant effects when co-administered with other CNS depressants such as alcohol, barbiturates, antipsychotics, sedative/hypnotics, anxiolytics, antidepressants, narcotic analgesics, sedative antihistamines, anticonvulsants, and anesthetics.
This behavior is more likely to occur when temazepam capsules are taken with alcohol or other central nervous system depressants ( see WARNINGS ).
Taking more than these two? Interactions stack. Check your whole list at once; it stays in your browser.
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.