Taking lorazepam with other medicines and herbal supplements

Some medicines affect the way lorazepam works and increase the chances of you having side effects.

Speak to a doctor or pharmacist before starting to take lorazepam if you take any of these medicines:

• antidepressants, used to treat depression
• antipsychotics, used to treat mental health problems
• anticonvulsants, used to treat seizures
• hypnotics, used to treat anxiety or sleep problems
• drowsy or sedating antihistamines, such as chlorphenamine or promethazine
• strong painkillers, such as codeine, methadone, morphine, oxycodone, pethidine or tramadol
• HIV medicines, such as ritonavir, atazanavir, efavirenz or saquinavir
• rifampicin, a medicine for bacterial infections
• antifungal medicines, such as fluconazole
• proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) – medicines for reducing stomach acid, such as omeprazole or esomeprazole
• muscle relaxants, such as baclofen or tizanidine
• disulfiram, a medicine for alcohol addiction
• isoniazid, a medicine for tuberculosis
• theophylline, a medicine for asthma and other breathing problems

Do not take herbal remedies for anxiety or insomnia, such as valerian or passionflower, with lorazepam. They can increase the drowsy effects of lorazepam and may also have other side effects.

There's not enough information to say that other complementary medicines, herbal remedies and supplements are safe to take with lorazepam. They're not tested in the same way as pharmacy and prescription medicines. They're generally not tested for the effect they have on other medicines.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal remedies, vitamins or supplements.