What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Alprazolam and flumazenil
Alprazolam's FDA label of January 18, 2023 names flumazenil in its warnings and precautions section; flumazenil's label does not name alprazolam itself but warns about its class (Benzodiazepines). The alprazolam label: “Abrupt discontinuation or rapid dosage reduction of XANAX after continued use, or administration of flumazenil may precipitate acute withdrawal reactions, which can be life-threatening (e.g., seizures).”
Check it at the source: the alprazolam FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 18, 2023, PHARMACIA & UPJOHN COMPANY LLC); the flumazenil FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 21, 2024, Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc.).
What does the alprazolam label say about flumazenil?
Alprazolam label, warnings and precautionsAbrupt discontinuation or rapid dosage reduction of XANAX after continued use, or administration of flumazenil (a benzodiazepine antagonist) may precipitate acute withdrawal reactions, which can be life-threatening (e.g., seizures) [see Drug Abuse and Dependence (9.3) ].
Source: FDA drug label (Alprazolam Xr, NDA021434), Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc., effective February 11, 2025 (SPL set 1338d1c9-7c75-42ed-95f3-9eb1b6fc51d3), via openFDA
Source: FDA drug label (Xanax), PHARMACIA & UPJOHN COMPANY LLC, effective January 18, 2023 (SPL set 388e249d-b9b6-44c3-9f8f-880eced0239f), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What does the flumazenil label say about alprazolam?
Flumazenil's label does not name alprazolam itself; it warns about its class (Benzodiazepines):
Flumazenil label, contraindicationsCONTRAINDICATIONS Flumazenil is contraindicated: in patients with a known hypersensitivity to flumazenil or benzodiazepines. in patients who have been given a benzodiazepine for control of a potentially life-threatening condition (e.g., control of intracranial pressure or status epilepticus). in patients who are showing signs of serious cyclic antidepressant overdose (see WARNINGS ).
Flumazenil label, boxed warningTHESE ARE MOST FREQUENT IN PATIENTS WHO HAVE BEEN ON BENZODIAZEPINES FOR LONG-TERM SEDATION OR IN OVERDOSE CASES WHERE PATIENTS ARE SHOWING SIGNS OF SERIOUS CYCLIC ANTIDEPRESSANT OVERDOSE.
Source: FDA drug label (Flumazenil), Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc., effective June 21, 2024 (SPL set 436f5616-9626-4b6a-9deb-2986444179d0), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
These are the labels' own sentences. PlainMeds does not grade interactions; a pharmacist or prescriber can say what they mean for one person's medicines.
Both medicines on the record
| Alprazolam | Flumazenil | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Anxiety | n/a |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $0.0236 per tablet 0.25 mg tablet | $1.18 per mL 0.5 mg/5 mL vial |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
Source: FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026 and the FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Check more medicines together
- up to five at once