Clorazepate (By mouth)

Introduction:

Clorazepate (klor-AZ-e-pate)

Treats anxiety, trouble sleeping, symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, and certain types of epilepsy (seizures). Belongs to a class of drugs called benzodiazepines.

Brand Name(s):

Tranxene T-Tab, Clorazepate Dipotassium, Tranxene-SD

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Capsule, Tablet, Long Acting Tablet

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Your dose may need to be changed several times in order to find out what works best for you. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• Swallow the extended-release tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.
• You may take this medicine with or without food.
• This medicine may be used with other seizure medicines. Keep using all of your seizure medicines unless your doctor tells you to stop.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine after you have finished your treatment. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.
• Tell your doctor if you are using any medicines that make you sleepy. These include sleeping pills, cold and allergy medicine, narcotic pain relievers, and sedatives.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you have kidney disease, liver disease, glaucoma, lung disease, or a history of mental illness or depression.
• It is important to tell your doctor if you become pregnant while using this medicine. Your doctor may want you to join a pregnancy registry for patients taking a seizure medicine.
• You should not breastfeed if you are using this medicine.
• This medicine may be habit-forming. If you feel that the medicine is not working as well, do not use more than your prescribed dose. Call your doctor for instructions.
• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly without asking your doctor. You may need to slowly decrease your dose before stopping it completely.
• This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.
• For some children, teenagers, and young adults, this medicine can increase thoughts of suicide. Tell your doctor or your child's doctor right away if you or your child start to feel more depressed and have thoughts about hurting yourselves. Report any unusual thoughts or behaviors that trouble you or your child, especially if they are new or get worse quickly. Make sure the doctor knows if you or your child have trouble sleeping, get upset easily, have a big increase in energy, or start to act reckless. Also tell the doctor if you or your child have sudden or strong feelings, such as feeling nervous, angry, restless, violent, or scared. Let the doctor know if you, your child, or anyone in your family has bipolar disorder (manic-depressive) or has tried to commit suicide.
• Older adults and children may be more sensitive to side effects than other patients.
• Your doctor will need to check your blood at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
• Difficulty with breathing.
• Feeling confused, sad, or irritable.
• Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, and body aches.
• Hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there).
• Problems with balance or walking.
• Severe muscle weakness or difficulty with standing.
• Slurred speech or severe drowsiness.
• Tremors.
• Unusual behavior or thoughts of hurting yourself.
• Unusual tiredness or weakness.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Blurred or double vision.
• Constipation or diarrhea.
• Difficulty with concentrating or memory loss.
• Drowsiness, dizziness, or clumsiness.
• Dry mouth.
• "Hangover" effects after bedtime use.
• Headache.
• Skin rash.
• Trouble with sleeping.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor: