Seizure med: Clorazepate

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Clorazepate

PRONUNCIATION: klor AZ e pate
BRAND: Tranxene SD, Tranxene T-Tab

* Please note: the site where I got this info no longer exists but I am including it any ways as it's the clearest info I can find. (http://onhealth.webmd.com)

What is the most important information I should know about clorazepate?

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. clorazepate will cause drowsiness and may cause dizziness. If you experience drowsiness or dizziness, avoid these activities.
Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking clorazepate.
Do not stop taking clorazepate suddenly if you have been taking it for several weeks. This may cause withdrawal symptoms and make you uncomfortable. Talk to your doctor if you need to stop treatment with clorazepate.

What is clorazepate?

clorazepate is in a class of drugs called benzodiazepines. clorazepate affects chemicals in your brain that may become unbalanced and cause anxiety, withdrawal symptoms, and seizures.
clorazepate is used to relieve anxiety, nervousness, and tension associated with anxiety disorders. clorazepate is also used to reduce the symptoms associated with alcohol withdrawal, and to treat certain types of seizures.
clorazepate may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Who should not take clorazepate?

· Do not take clorazepate if you have narrow-angle glaucoma. Clorazepate may worsen this condition.

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you

· have kidney disease;

· have liver disease;

· have asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, or another respiratory disease; or

· are depressed or have suicidal thoughts.

You may not be able to take clorazepate, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

clorazepate is in the FDA pregnancy category D. This means that clorazepate is known to harm an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.
It is not known whether clorazepate passes into breast milk. Do not take clorazepate without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
If you are over 60 years of age, you may be more likely to experience side effects from clorazepate. You may require a lower dose of this medication.
clorazepate is not approved for use in children younger than 9 years of age.

How should I take clorazepate?

· Take clorazepate exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

· Take each dose with a full glass of water.

· Do not take more than is prescribed for you.

· Do not stop taking clorazepate suddenly if you have been taking it for several weeks. This may cause withdrawal symptoms and make you uncomfortable. Talk to your doctor if you need to stop treatment with clorazepate.

· Store clorazepate at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

· Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication. A double dose could be very dangerous.

What happens if I overdose?

· Seek emergency medical attention.

· Symptoms of a clorazepate overdose include sleepiness, dizziness, confusion, a slow heart beat, difficulty breathing, difficulty walking and talking, an appearance of being drunk, and unconsciousness.

What should I avoid while taking clorazepate?

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. clorazepate will cause drowsiness and may cause dizziness. If you experience drowsiness or dizziness, avoid these activities.
Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking clorazepate.
Avoid other sedatives, sleeping pills, and tranquilizers. They should not be used while you are taking clorazepate unless your doctor approves.

What are the possible side effects of clorazepate?

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking clorazepate and seek emergency medical attention:

· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips,

· face, or tongue; or hives);

· sores in your mouth or throat;

· yellowing of the skin or eyes;

· a rash;

· hallucinations or severe confusion; or

· changes in your vision.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take clorazepate and talk to your doctor if you experience

drowsiness, dizziness, or clumsiness;
depression;
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation;
difficulty urinating;
vivid dreams;
headache;
dry mouth;
decreased sex drive; or
changes in behavior.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect clorazepate?

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:

· antihistamines such as brompheniramine (Dimetane, Bromfed, others), chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton, Teldrin, others), azatadine (Optimine), clemastine (Tavist), and many others;

· narcotics (pain killers) such as meperidine (Demerol), morphine (MS Contin, MSIR, others), propoxyphene (Darvon, Darvocet), hydrocodone (Lorcet, Vicodin), oxycodone (Percocet, Percodan), fentanyl (Duragesic), and codeine (Fiorinal, Fioricet, Tylenol #3, others);

· other sedatives such as phenobarbital (Solfoton, Luminal), amobarbital (Amytal), and secobarbital (Seconal);

· phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin), mesoridazine (Serentil), perphenazine (Trilafon), prochlorperazine (Compazine), thioridazine (Mellaril), and trifluoperazine (Stelazine); or

· antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), doxepin (Sinequan), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), phenelzine (Nardil), and tranylcypromine (Parnate).

Dangerous sedation, dizziness, or drowsiness may occur if clorazepate is taken with any of the medicines listed above.

Seizure medications may not be as effective when you are taking clorazepate. Tell your doctor if you have a seizure disorder.

The effects of blood pressure medications may be increased, and very low blood pressure may result. Be alert for signs of low blood pressure (weakness, dizziness, fatigue) and talk to your doctor about your medication.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with clorazepate. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist has additional information about clorazepate written for health professionals that you may read.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Multum Information Services, Inc. is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. In addition, the drug information contained herein may be time sensitive and should not be utilized as a reference resource beyond the date hereof.

Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is a reference resource designed as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners in patient care. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient.

Multum Information Services, Inc., does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides.

Copyright © 1999 Multum Information Services, Inc. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

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