Mixing Onfi (Clobazam) and Alcohol

Onfi is a benzodiazepine drug, also known as Clobazam in its generic form. Onfi is primarily used as an add-on treatment for children and adults who have seizures. Onfi is a long-acting anticonvulsant and sedative drug. In some cases, it can be used to treat severe panic or anxiety disorders, in addition to epilepsy and related conditions. Onfi affects the GABA receptors in the brain. When someone suffers from a seizure disorder or a condition like anxiety, they may have overactivity in the brain -which a benzodiazepine can help treat. Essentially, Onfi slows down how nerve signals are transmitted in the brain and central nervous system.

Benzodiazepines are intended to be short-term medications, regardless of the condition they’re prescribed to treat. That’s because benzodiazepine drugs carry a risk of Onfi addiction and dependence. With most benzodiazepines, the course of treatment should not last longer than four to six weeks. Usually, the time period in which a patient takes benzodiazepines is even shorter.

Onfi functions as a central nervous system depressant. As such, the possible symptoms and side effects of this drug are typical for a depressant. For example, someone who takes Onfi, particularly at a high dose, may seem like they’re intoxicated from alcohol. Symptoms of using Onfi can include lack of coordination, drowsiness, slurred speech, and memory and motor impairment. People who use Onfi may appear to have slowed thinking, confusion, and they may feel dizzy. For those reasons, people taking the drug are warned against mixing Onfi with other central nervous system depressants (CNS).

Alcohol is also a CNS depressant with side effects similar to Onfi. When someone drinks alcohol, it also affects GABA receptors in their brain. That’s why people who drink excessively may feel drowsy, confused and experience coordination problems. If someone mixes Onfi and alcohol, they may appear to be excessively intoxicated. Both substances will heighten the effects of the other. This puts people who mix Onfi and alcohol at a higher risk of falling or being involved in an accident. Elderly patients who mix Onfi and alcohol are at an even higher risk of being involved in a dangerous situation.

Something else to consider when mixing Onfi and alcohol is overdose. Benzodiazepines, when taken on their own, rarely cause overdoses; however, when the two central nervous system depressants are mixed a person is much more likely to experience an overdose. An overdose from depressants is characterized by dangerous respiratory depression. Extreme respiratory depression can be deadly. The same dangerous consequences are possible if someone were to mix Onfi with opioids. There are black box warnings that come with both prescription opioids and benzodiazepines about the potentially deadly risks of mixing drugs from the two classes together. Mixing Onfi with antidepressants and antihistamines can produce other dangerous interactions.

Finally if someone mixes Onfi and alcohol, the chances of becoming addicted to one or both substances greatly increases. When someone abuses multiple substances, they may develop a polysubstance addiction which is usually more difficult to treat. Mixing alcohol and Onfi can also increase the chances of psychological symptoms, such as anxiety and depression. Onfi and alcohol should never be combined together. Both have similar effects on the central nervous system and mixing them can be dangerous or deadly.

Are you struggling with addiction or want to learn more about the steps you can take to address your substance use? The Recovery Village is here, and we’re available to speak with you more about the options that can give you hope and help you on your path to recovery.