Can You Take Oxycodone and Xanax Together?

The Risks and Considerations When Mixing Xanax and Oxycodone

Benzodiazepines, like Xanax, are most commonly prescribed to treat anxiety disorders. Prescription opioids, like Oxycodone, are typically used for short-term pain management. Some take opioids for longer periods of time to manage chronic pain conditions not addressed by other drugs.

While they belong to separate drug classes, Oxycodone and Xanax are both central nervous system depressants. They slow down body systems, sometimes to a dangerous degree. If taken at the same time, the risks intensify.

So, can you take Oxycodone and Xanax together? Usually, no. It’s risky to take opioids and benzodiazepines simultaneously. Doing so can cause an accidental overdose. Still, there are times when someone will mix the two.

In that case, harm reduction and awareness can save a life. If you’re at risk yourself or know someone who is, understanding the potential consequences of mixing benzodiazepines and opioids and how to prevent them is essential. Purpose Healing Center is here to help.

Can You Take Oxycodone and Xanax Together? Why It’s Dangerous to Combine the Two

In most cases, people should not take Oxycodone and Xanax together. When you fill a prescription for Oxycodone or Xanax, you’ll see a warning on the bottle and information pamphlet that says not to combine opioid drugs with benzodiazepines (benzos) or vice versa.

Why? Mixing two depressants raises the risk of slowed or difficult breathing and death. Best practices for taking opioids and other depressant drugs warn against combining any depressant, whether alcohol, certain medications, or street drugs, for this reason.

On some occasions (e.g., surgery, after a car accident), one might take prescription opioids and benzodiazepines at the same time. Additionally, those facing substance abuse may combine drugs without medical supervision.

Some people, in addiction combine opioids with other substances knowingly. Others, specifically those who buy pills on the street, may ingest both without knowing it due to lacing.

What are the Possible Risks of Combining Opioids and Benzodiazepines?

Possible consequences of combining opioids and benzos include, but are not limited to:

Fatal Drug Overdose

Death is the biggest risk of taking benzodiazepines and opioids at the same time. Research shows that people who combine opioids and benzos face an increased risk of visiting the emergency room, being admitted to the hospital for an emergency, and dying of a drug overdose.

How serious are the chances? Very. The overdose death rate is ten times higher for people taking benzodiazepines and opioids at the same time (compared to those taking opioid analgesics only).

Non-Fatal Drug Overdose

Even if an overdose isn’t fatal, it’s dangerous to take opioids with benzos, like Xanax. A non-fatal overdose can cause permanent brain damage, coma, and other complications (e.g., cardiovascular problems).

Impaired Physical and Cognitive Function

Both opioids and benzodiazepines can impair judgment and physical coordination. That’s why, as you may notice, the label for either type of medication says that you should not drive or operate heavy machinery after taking it.

Even low doses can increase the risk of accidents, injuries, and poor decision-making. Blending them further raises your chance of these serious outcomes.

Using Naloxone: Reversing an Opioid Overdose

Reversing an opioid overdose can save a life. With the chance of accidental overdose in mind, it’s vital that we all know what to do if someone around us shows the signs. Overdose warning signs include, but are not limited to:

• Slowed or difficult breathing.
• Constricted (small) pupils.
• Extreme drowsiness.
• Confusion.
• Blue lips or fingernails.
• Loss of consciousness.
• Inability to wake someone.
• Clammy or sweaty skin.

Naloxone (Narcan) rapidly reverses opioid overdose. How do you find Narcan in Arizona? It’s available at most pharmacies. No prescription is required. You can also pick Narcan up for free at sites across Arizona.

Narcan is available as a nasal spray or injection. If someone doesn’t respond within three minutes, give them another Narcan dose. After administering Narcan, stay with the person until help arrives or for up to 3 hours, watching for signs of a returning overdose.

How to Reduce Risk When Taking Prescription Opioids and Benzodiazepines Together

The best safety practices for taking these drugs will nearly always recommend that you do not take opioids and benzodiazepines at the same time. If you’re reading this, you might be in a position to ask, “What should I do if I’m prescribed opioids but already take a benzodiazepine?”

• Tell your doctor about everything you take. Your prescribing doctor should know about every medication, supplement, and illicit substance you consume (including alcohol). They are not here to judge or tell on you; just to keep you safe.
• Follow medication instructions carefully. When prescribing opioids and benzodiazepines for medical conditions or surgery, your doctor should give you clear instructions about when to take each drug.
• Do not drink. You should never drink when using benzodiazepines or opioids. Your medication instructions should state this. Since alcohol is another depressant, drinking further increases the likelihood of fatal overdose.

The only way to completely avoid the risk of overdose and other serious complications associated with taking opioids and benzodiazepines is to stop taking them with guidance from a healthcare provider.

The Role of Treatment Programs for Multiple Substance Use

Unfortunately, dependence is always a risk if you take benzos or opioid drugs. If you notice physical or psychological signs of addiction, like withdrawal symptoms, in yourself or a loved one, substance abuse treatment can help.

Medically Supervised Drug and Alcohol Detox

Getting off of benzos and opioids is one of the first steps in the treatment process. Stopping these drugs cold turkey can cause serious problems. For example, severe withdrawal symptoms are a serious risk when taking benzodiazepines long-term or in high doses.

In instances like these, withdrawal can be life-threatening without proper medical support. The medically supervised detox program at Purpose will help you get through the acute withdrawal stage safely.

Inpatient and Outpatient Addiction Therapy Programs

Purpose Healing Center has a full continuum of care for addiction and mental health. Our programs provide comprehensive therapy for substance abuse. Treatment options include:

• Residential inpatient treatment.
• Partial hospitalization program.
• Intensive outpatient program.
• Alumni program.

Some people who are dependent on opioids benefit from medication-assisted treatment (MAT). We offer MAT in Arizona for clients who find that it benefits their recovery.

Choose Purpose Healing Center Today for Support Overcoming Opioid and Benzodiazepine Abuse

Sometimes, addiction starts with a prescription. Other times, it begins with street drugs. Regardless, recognizing that you have a problem is a powerful step in the right direction. We’re here to make the care you need accessible.

Purpose Healing Center accepts most insurances, including AHCCCS plans. With various programs available, we’re here for you, whether you need to balance work with outpatient therapy or require inpatient drug rehab at this time.

Please call our admissions line to learn more about addiction treatment or to start the process now. All calls are confidential, so please do not hesitate to get options for support now!

FAQs About Taking Opioids and Benzodiazepines Together

Does Xanax interact with painkillers?

Yes. Xanax interacts dangerously with opioid painkillers. Taking them together can cause overdose and other serious adverse effects.

Can you take opioids with anxiety medication?

Combining opioids with some anxiety medications, specifically benzodiazepines, is advised against. Doctors may recommend that you try alternatives to prescription painkillers or benzodiazepines (e.g., selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) first to prevent the risks.

What drugs cannot be mixed with Xanax?

You shouldn’t mix Xanax with opioids. Examples of opioid pain medicines include Oxycodone, OxyContin, Percocet, Fentanyl, and Vicodin. Sleep medications, alcohol, marijuana, some antidepressants, and muscle relaxers should also not be mixed with Xanax.

This isn’t a full list of medications to avoid. Accurately report all medications you take to your doctor. They can provide individualized guidance on medication interactions.

 

References

1. Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. (n.d.). FDA Drug Safety Communication. U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
2. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2024a, May 17). Benzodiazepines and opioids. National Institutes of Health.
3. Cohort study of the impact of high-dose opioid analgesics on overdose mortality | pain medicine | oxford academic. (n.d.-e).
4. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2025c, September 24). Naloxone drugfacts. National Institutes of Health.
5. Azdhs: Opioid Prevention. Arizona Department of Health Services. (n.d.).