HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Are There Any Negative Interactions Between Alcohol And Benzodiazepines?

default
Posted on Thu, 30 Jun 2016
Question: I took 1 and half mg of clonazepam and 150mg of zoloft yesterday afternoon around 2:30. Then went to dinner for my girlfriends birthday at 6:30 and started drinking A LOT of liquor all night. Tequilla, gin, ect. I also drank a lot of water throigh the night. I went to bed at around 2am, woke up at 8 a.m. And took 1 and half mg of clonazepam because my anxiety was so high. Its now 4:00 pm and took another 1 mg of clonazepam. My heart rate is still high and my anxiety is still bad because im worried I may die or something from the combination. I dont so this ever. Was just a night of a lot of drinking. Am I in danger of dying. All my medications are prescribed and am allowed up to 3mg of clonazepam a day. Im 30 year old W/M.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
you're probably not in danger but you've got to investigate the tachycardia

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

since you were able to wright this text, you shouldn't be very sedated, so the main danger from combining alcohol with benzodiazepines does not apply to your case. Your heart rate could be an "innocent" tachycardia caused by anxiety but it could be caused by more significant causes like atrial fibrillation which is relatively common after excessive alcohol intake. Atrial fibrillation is a serious arrhythmia which requires immediate treatment.

So you should do an ECG (electrocardiogram) to check for arrhythmia. If you're OK, then I don't believe you should worry too much about the rest.

I hope it helps!
Kind Regards!
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1999

Answered : 3814 Questions

Ask me a question
premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Ask an Internal Medicine Specialist
Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
backtotop2
Are There Any Negative Interactions Between Alcohol And Benzodiazepines?

Brief Answer: you're probably not in danger but you've got to investigate the tachycardia Detailed Answer: Hello, since you were able to wright this text, you shouldn't be very sedated, so the main danger from combining alcohol with benzodiazepines does not apply to your case. Your heart rate could be an "innocent" tachycardia caused by anxiety but it could be caused by more significant causes like atrial fibrillation which is relatively common after excessive alcohol intake. Atrial fibrillation is a serious arrhythmia which requires immediate treatment. So you should do an ECG (electrocardiogram) to check for arrhythmia. If you're OK, then I don't believe you should worry too much about the rest. I hope it helps! Kind Regards!