NutriStack
Diazepam and Morphine, contraindicated.
FDA Black Box Warning: Concurrent opioid and benzodiazepine use can result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. Morphine and diazepam both have long durations of action, compounding the 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.
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What the row says.
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At a glance
- 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. FDA Black Box Warning: Concurrent opioid and benzodiazepine use can result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. Morphine and diazepam both have long durations of action, compounding the risk.
Mechanism. Morphine activates mu-opioid receptors depressing respiratory drive. Diazepam (and active metabolites with very long half-lives) enhances GABA-mediated CNS depression. Combined effect on respiratory centers is synergistic.
Recommendation. Avoid combination. If absolutely necessary in a monitored setting, use lowest possible doses with continuous pulse oximetry monitoring.
Sources (2)
- Sun EC, Dixit A, Humphreys K, Darnall BD, Baker LC, Mackey S. Association between concurrent use of prescription opioids and benzodiazepines and overdose: retrospective analysis. BMJ. 2017;356:j760. PMID 28292769
- Park TW, Saitz R, Ganoczy D, Ilgen MA, Bohnert ASB. Benzodiazepine prescribing patterns and deaths from drug overdose among US veterans receiving opioid analgesics: case-cohort study. BMJ. 2015;350:h2698. PMID 26063215
Stack Score
How this pair moves the number.
Effect on the composite score
If both Diazepam and Morphine 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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