“Taking benzodiazepines with other central nervous system depressants—such as opioid pain relievers, alcohol, and tricyclic antidepressants—can lead to dangerous slowing of heart rate and breathing, and even death.” National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)2
Increased Risk of Over-Sedation and Respiratory Depression
The most immediate and critical danger of combining Xanax and Valium is the dramatically increased risk of over-sedation and respiratory depression. Both drugs work to slow down brain activity and relax the central nervous system. When taken together, these depressant effects are compounded.
This can lead to excessive drowsiness, impaired coordination, confusion, and significantly slowed breathing. Respiratory depression, or dangerously slowed and shallow breathing, can result in insufficient oxygen reaching the brain and other vital organs, potentially leading to coma, permanent brain damage, or death.3
The risk of respiratory depression is further heightened when Xanax and Valium are combined with other central nervous system depressants, such as alcohol or opioid painkillers. Even taking these substances separately in close proximity can have dangerous additive effects. Due to the unpredictable nature of drug interactions and individual responses, it is impossible to safely combine Xanax and Valium without risking severe and potentially fatal respiratory complications.
Dangerously Heightened Cognitive and Motor Impairment
Both Xanax and Valium impair cognitive function and motor skills, and these effects are significantly amplified when the drugs are taken together. Combining them can lead to profound confusion, difficulty thinking clearly, severely impaired judgment, and significant motor incoordination. Individuals may experience extreme dizziness, loss of balance, slurred speech, and an inability to perform even simple tasks safely. This level of impairment drastically increases the risk of accidents, falls, and injuries.4
Driving or operating machinery under the influence of either Xanax or Valium is already hazardous. Combining them makes these activities exponentially more dangerous, posing a severe threat to both the individual and others. The combined cognitive and motor impairments can also lead to risky behaviors and poor decision-making, further increasing the potential for harm.
Increased Risk of Dependence and Withdrawal Severity
Both Xanax and Valium have a high potential for causing dependence and addiction when used long-term or misused. Taking them together does not reduce this risk; instead, it is likely to exacerbate it. The body can develop tolerance to benzodiazepines, requiring higher doses to achieve the desired effects. Combining two benzodiazepines may accelerate tolerance development to both drugs. Furthermore, abruptly stopping either Xanax or Valium after regular use can lead to withdrawal symptoms. If both are taken concurrently and then discontinued, the withdrawal syndrome can be significantly more severe and complex to manage.5
Benzodiazepine withdrawal can range from anxiety rebound and rebound insomnia to more serious symptoms like seizures, psychosis, and delirium tremens, which can be life-threatening. Attempting to withdraw from combined Xanax and Valium use without medical supervision is particularly dangerous due to the increased risk of severe withdrawal complications. If dependence on either or both of these medications has developed, professional medical detoxification is essential for safe withdrawal and management of withdrawal symptoms.
Why you shouldn’t mix Xanax and Valium
There is no therapeutic rationale for combining Xanax and Valium. Both medications belong to the same drug class and work through similar mechanisms to achieve similar effects. Taking them together does not provide any additional benefit for anxiety or panic disorders. Instead, it only increases the risks of adverse effects. In some cases, doctors may switch a patient from one benzodiazepine to another, but this is done cautiously and never involves taking both concurrently on a regular basis. The goal of switching is usually to manage withdrawal symptoms or to find a benzodiazepine with a more suitable duration of action or side effect profile for a particular individual.6
Side Effects of Mixing Xanax and Valium
Taking Valium and Xanax together can result in severe side effects, including:
- Drowsiness
- Impaired judgment
- Unconsciousness
- Potentiated sedative effects
- Dizziness
- Slow breathing
- Increased risk of addiction and overdose
- Impaired cognitive function
- Memory problems
- Potentially life-threatening effects, such as overdose
Seek Medical Advice and Explore Safer Alternatives
If you are currently taking Xanax or Valium, or both (against medical advice), it is crucial to consult with your doctor immediately. Do not abruptly stop taking these medications, as withdrawal can be dangerous.6
If you or a loved one is struggling with benzodiazepine addiction, seeking professional help is a vital step toward recovery. Contact us Still Detox at
(561) 556-2677 to learn more about personalized treatment programs designed to guide you.
