Can Xanax Be Taken While On Paxil And Clonazepam?

Posted on Sat, 21 Nov 2015

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

Sat, 21 Nov 2015 Answered on

Sat, 12 Dec 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I have been taking paxil with clonazepam. I take 1 mg of clonazepam a day and 10 mg's of paxil, which was prescribed my by doctor. Tonight, I continued to follow my prescription - I took 1 mg of clonazepam and 10 mg's of paxil, but i also took 4 mg's of Xanax, which was not prescribed by my doctor. Is this something to be worried about? I have quite a high tolerance to benzos since I've been taking 1 mg of clonazepam daily for 2 weeks and I've used Xanax in the past. I also had a prescription for ativan a few months ago. The Xanax was not prescribed by my doctor, as previously mentioned. My second question is, could taking Xanax tonight mess with the effects that the paxil/clonazepam have? I mean, will this mess up the positive effects that the paxil and clonazepam have had for me? Thanks.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Chintan Solanki (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
There will be increased sedation

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for writing to us. I can understand your concern.

As such xanax 4 mg is high dose. It can cause sedation. With paxil and clonazepam it can cause sedation, dizziness, impaired cognition and lethargy. Don't drive or work with machine when you are under such effects.
Xanax will not cause any negative effect on effectiveness of paxil and clonazepam.

Please don't take benzo without prescription. Effect of xanax will go away within 12-24 hours.

Hope I have answered query, I will be happy to help further.
Regards,
Dr. Chintan Solanki.

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