NutriStack
Alcohol and Clonazepam, contraindicated.
Alcohol adds to clonazepam's CNS-depressant effects and can produce marked drowsiness, slowed reaction time, ataxia, memory gaps, and respiratory depression. Because clonazepam has a long half-life, alcohol can still interact even when doses are separated by many hours. Older adults and people with sleep apnea or lung disease are at higher risk.
One pair, every claim cited. The two substances, the type, the mechanism, the recommendation, and the primary literature.
Same shape as the other 1,729 pairs in the public database.
From the interaction database
What the row says.
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At a glance
- Substances
- Alcohol and Clonazepam
- Pair type
- Contraindicated
- Evidence (highest tier)
- Strong
- Source citations
- 2 sources
- Stack Score effect
- −25 to your Stack Score (per scored contraindication row).
- Scope
- Supplement × Prescription
- Last verified
- May 30, 2026
Contraindicated · Strong evidence
Contraindicated
What is happening. Alcohol adds to clonazepam's CNS-depressant effects and can produce marked drowsiness, slowed reaction time, ataxia, memory gaps, and respiratory depression. Because clonazepam has a long half-life, alcohol can still interact even when doses are separated by many hours. Older adults and people with sleep apnea or lung disease are at higher risk.
Mechanism. Clonazepam enhances GABA-A receptor signaling; alcohol also potentiates GABA-A activity and suppresses excitatory NMDA signaling. The overlap increases neuronal inhibition and reduces arousal and ventilatory safety margins.
Recommendation. Avoid alcohol while taking clonazepam. Do not drive or operate machinery if any alcohol was used near a clonazepam dose. Seek emergency care for severe confusion, slow breathing, blue lips, or inability to wake.
Sources (2)
- Weathermon R, Crabb DW. Alcohol and medication interactions. Alcohol Res Health. 1999;23(1):40-54. PMID 10890797
- Ingum J, Bjørnstad S, Mørland J. Relationship between drug plasma concentrations and psychomotor performance after single doses of ethanol and benzodiazepines. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 1992;107(1):11-17. PMID 1589558
Stack Score
How this pair moves the number.
Effect on the composite score
If both Alcohol and Clonazepam are in the same stack, this pair applies −25 to your Stack Score (per scored contraindication row).
The full algorithm, the clamping rules, and four worked stacks are documented at /methodology/stack-score.
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