Can Dilantin And Xanax Be Taken Together?

Posted on Fri, 22 May 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 22 May 2015 Answered on

Thu, 11 Jun 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I have taken Dilantin (400mg/MWF and 300mg/STThS) for over twenty years. I have just had Xanax prescribed and have taken two pills (.5mg). I'm feeling confusion and helplessness in my brain. Are these two medications compatibles?

Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (12 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
xanax may increase the side effects of dilantin

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

xanax itself is a central nervous system depressant but it also increases the effect of dilantin (and thus its side effects too). Confusion and other problems like nausea and vomiting, hallucinations, slurred speech, loss of balance etc may occur when using them together.

Their concurrent use cannot be strongly discouraged but since you're having serious side effects you'd better ask your doctor for alternatives (if needed).

Kind Regards!

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar