Is it safe to consume alcohol while taking 300 mg of gabapentin and 15 mg of Sobril (clonazepam)?

Combining 300 mg Gabapentin, 15 mg Sobril (Oxazepam), and Alcohol is Extremely Dangerous and Should Never Be Done

This combination creates life-threatening risks through additive central nervous system (CNS) and respiratory depression, and you should avoid alcohol entirely while taking these medications. 1, 2, 3

Why This Combination is Dangerous

Synergistic CNS Depression

• Benzodiazepines (Sobril/oxazepam) combined with alcohol produce enhanced sedation beyond what either substance causes alone, manifesting as extreme drowsiness, confusion, decreased consciousness, and dangerously slowed or shallow breathing 2, 3
• When benzodiazepines are combined with other CNS depressants like alcohol, overdose becomes even more dangerous due to additive depressant effects on the CNS and respiratory system 1
• The combination carries substantial risk of profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death through cumulative and synergistic effects 3

Adding Gabapentin to the Mix

• While gabapentin alone has been studied with alcohol and shows relatively good tolerability in controlled settings 4, 5, adding it to a benzodiazepine-alcohol combination creates synergistic sedating effects 1
• Gabapentin can cause sedation, dizziness, confusion, and impaired balance on its own 1, 6
• The FDA label explicitly warns: "Do not drink alcohol or take other medicines that make you sleepy or dizzy while taking gabapentin without first talking with your healthcare provider. Taking gabapentin with alcohol or drugs that cause sleepiness or dizziness may make your sleepiness or dizziness worse" 6

Specific Risks You Face

Respiratory Depression:

• The most life-threatening risk is that your breathing may become dangerously slow or stop entirely, particularly during sleep 1, 2, 3

Severe Sedation and Loss of Consciousness:

• Extreme drowsiness progressing to inability to stay awake or respond 2, 3

Falls and Injuries:

• Gabapentin increases risk of falls and fractures (incidence rate ratio 1.35), with clear dose-response relationship 7
• Benzodiazepines independently cause reduced mobility, falls, and fractures 3
• Alcohol further impairs coordination and balance 8

Altered Mental Status:

• Risk of confusion, disorientation, and delirium 1, 7
• Gabapentin associated with altered mental status (incidence rate ratio 1.12) 7

Paradoxical Effects:

• The combination may increase anxiety rather than reduce it and cause disinhibition leading to risky behaviors or aggression 2

Critical Clinical Considerations

Benzodiazepine-Specific Warnings

• Benzodiazepines have relatively low toxicity when used alone, but overdose risk increases dramatically with polypharmacy 3
• The combination can result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death 3
• Benzodiazepines should be reserved for short-term use only—typically no longer than 2-4 weeks 3

What You Should Do Instead

• Completely avoid alcohol while taking this medication combination 2, 6
• If you have alcohol use disorder and require benzodiazepines, treatment should be conducted under medical supervision 2
• Self-medicating with benzodiazepines while continuing to drink is extremely dangerous 2

Monitoring for Danger Signs

The FDA requires you watch for these emergency symptoms 6:

• Severe drowsiness or inability to stay awake
• Difficulty breathing or slow/shallow breathing
• Confusion or disorientation
• Inability to walk or maintain balance
• Slurred speech beyond what alcohol alone would cause

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Don't assume "just a few drinks" is safe - even moderate alcohol consumption creates dangerous interactions with this combination 8
• Don't assume short-acting benzodiazepines are safer - active metabolites still accumulate and effects are prolonged 3
• Don't drive or operate machinery - gabapentin alone can slow thinking and motor skills, and this combination dramatically worsens impairment 6
• Don't take this combination and then go to sleep without someone checking on you - respiratory depression can be fatal during sleep 1, 3