Benzodiazepine (Oral route, parenteral route, rectal route)

Brand Names:

Ativan
Dalmane
Diastat
Doral
Gen-Xene
Halcion
Klonopin
Libritabs
Librium
Paxipam
Prosom
Restoril
Serax
Versed
Xanax
Alti-Alprazolam

Dosage Forms:

Tablet
Capsule
Gel/Jelly
Solution
Tablet, Disintegrating
Syrup
Tablet, Extended Release
Kit
Capsule, Extended Release

Uses of This Medicine:

Benzodiazepines belong to the group of medicines called central nervous system (CNS) depressants (medicines that slow down the nervous system).

Some benzodiazepines are used to relieve anxiety. However, benzodiazepines should not be used to relieve nervousness or tension caused by the stress of everyday life.

Some benzodiazepines are used to treat insomnia (trouble in sleeping). However, if used regularly (for example, every day) for insomnia, they usually are not effective for more than a few weeks.

Many of the benzodiazepines are used in the treatment of other conditions, also. Diazepam is used to help relax muscles or relieve muscle spasm. Diazepam injection is used before some medical procedures to relieve anxiety and to reduce memory of the procedure. Chlordiazepoxide, clorazepate, diazepam, and oxazepam are used to treat the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Alprazolam and clonazepam are used in the treatment of panic disorder. Clobazam, clonazepam, clorazepate, diazepam, and lorazepam are used in the treatment of certain convulsive (seizure) disorders, such as epilepsy. The benzodiazepines may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Benzodiazepines may be habit-forming (causing mental or physical dependence), especially when taken for a long time or in high doses.

These medicines are available only with your doctor's prescription.

Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although these uses are not included in product labeling, some of the benzodiazepines are used in certain patients with the following medical conditions:

Nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy
Tension headache
Tremors

Before Using This Medicine:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to medicines in this group or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Children

Most of the side effects of these medicines are more likely to occur in children, especially the very young. These patients are usually more sensitive than adults to the effects of benzodiazepines.

It is possible that using clonazepam for long periods of time may cause unwanted effects on physical and mental growth in children. If such effects do occur, they may not be noticed until many years later. Before this medicine is given to children for long periods of time, you should discuss its use with your child's doctor.

Older adults

Most of the side effects of these medicines are more likely to occur in the elderly, who are usually more sensitive to the effects of benzodiazepines.

Taking benzodiazepines for trouble in sleeping may cause more daytime drowsiness in elderly patients than in younger adults. In addition, falls and related injuries are more likely to occur in elderly patients taking benzodiazepines.

Pregnancy

Chlordiazepoxide and diazepam have been reported to increase the chance of birth defects when used during the first 3 months of pregnancy. Although similar problems have not been reported with the other benzodiazepines, the chance always exists since all of the benzodiazepines are related.

Studies in animals have shown that clonazepam, lorazepam, and temazepam cause birth defects or other problems, including death of the animal fetus.

Too much use of a benzodiazepine during pregnancy may cause the baby to become dependent on the medicine. This may lead to withdrawal side effects after birth. Also, use of benzodiazepines during pregnancy, especially during the last weeks, may cause body temperature problems, breathing problems, difficulty in feeding, drowsiness, or muscle weakness in the newborn infant.

Benzodiazepines given just before or during labor may cause weakness in the newborn infant. When diazepam is given in high doses (especially by injection) within 15 hours before delivery, it may cause breathing problems, muscle weakness, difficulty in feeding, and body temperature problems in the newborn infant.

Breast-feeding

Benzodiazepines may pass into the breast milk and cause drowsiness, difficulty in feeding, and weight loss in nursing babies of mothers taking these medicines.

Other medicines

Using medicines in this class with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with a medication in this class or change some of the other medicines you take.

Amprenavir
Atazanavir
Darunavir
Delavirdine
Efavirenz
Fosamprenavir
Indinavir
Itraconazole
Ketoconazole
Lopinavir
Nefazodone
Nelfinavir
Ritonavir
Saquinavir
Tipranavir

Using medicines in this class with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Alfentanil
Amobarbital
Anileridine
Aprobarbital
Buprenorphine
Butabarbital
Butalbital
Carisoprodol
Chloral Hydrate
Chlorzoxazone
Codeine
Dantrolene
Digoxin
Ethchlorvynol
Etravirine
Fentanyl
Fluconazole
Hydrocodone
Hydromorphone
Itraconazole
Ketoconazole
Levorphanol
Meperidine
Mephenesin
Mephobarbital
Meprobamate
Metaxalone
Methocarbamol
Methohexital
Mibefradil
Morphine
Morphine Sulfate Liposome
Nilotinib
Omeprazole
Oxycodone
Oxymorphone
Pentobarbital
Phenobarbital
Primidone
Propoxyphene
Remifentanil
Secobarbital
Sodium Oxybate
Sufentanil
Thiopental
Voriconazole

Other interactions

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Other medical problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of medicines in this class. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

Alcohol abuse (or history of) or
Drug abuse or dependence (or history of) Dependence on benzodiazepines may be more likely to develop.

Brain disease CNS depression and other side effects of benzodiazepines may be more likely to occur.

Difficulty in swallowing (in children) or
Emphysema, asthma, bronchitis, or other chronic lung disease or
Hyperactivity or
Mental depression or
Mental illness (severe) or
Myasthenia gravis or
Porphyria or
Sleep apnea (temporary stopping of breathing during sleep) Benzodiazepines may make these conditions worse.

Epilepsy or history of seizures Although some benzodiazepines are used in treating epilepsy, starting or suddenly stopping treatment with these medicines may increase seizures.

Glaucoma, acute narrow angle Benzodiazepines should NOT be used if you have this condition.

Kidney or liver disease Higher blood levels of benzodiazepines may result, increasing the chance that side effects will occur.

Proper Use of This Medicine:

For caregivers administering diazepam rectal gel:

Discuss with the patient's medical doctor exactly when and how to use diazepam rectal gel.
Discuss with the patient's medical doctor when you should call for emergency help.
Read the instructions that you received with the medicine before you need to use it.
Stay with the patient after administering diazepam rectal gel to check his or her condition as instructed by the doctor.

For patients taking clorazepate extended-release tablets :

Swallow tablets whole.
Do not crush, break, or chew before swallowing.

For patients taking alprazolam, diazepam, or lorazepam concentrated oral solution:

Measure each dose carefully using the dropper provided with the medicine.
It is recommended that each dose be mixed with water, soda or soda-like beverages, or semisolid food such as applesauce or pudding, just before it is taken.
Take the entire mixture right away. It should not be saved to be used later.

For patients taking lorazepam sublingual tablets:

Do not chew or swallow the tablet. This medicine is meant to be absorbed through the lining of the mouth. Place the tablet under your tongue (sublingual) and let it slowly dissolve there. Do not swallow for at least 2 minutes.

For patients taking alprazolam oral disintegrating tablets:

Make sure your hands are dry. Just prior to taking the tablet, remove the tablet from the bottle. Immediately place the tablet on top of the tongue. The tablet will dissolve in seconds, and you may swallow it with your saliva. You do not need to drink water or other liquid to swallow the tablet. If you have split apart a tablet and only taken one half of the tablet, you should throw away the unused part of the tablet right away because it may not remain stable.

Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor . Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. If too much is taken, it may become habit-forming (causing mental or physical dependence).

If you think this medicine is not working properly after you have taken it for a few weeks, do not increase the dose. Instead, check with your doctor.

For patients taking this medicine on a regular schedule for epilepsy or other seizure disorder:

In order for this medicine to control your seizures, it must be taken every day in regularly spaced doses as ordered by your doctor. This is necessary to keep a constant amount of the medicine in the blood. To help keep the amount constant, do not miss any doses.

For patients taking this medicine for insomnia:

Do not take this medicine when your schedule does not permit you to get a full night's sleep (7 to 8 hours). If you must wake up before this, you may continue to feel drowsy and may experience memory problems, because the effects of the medicine have not had time to wear off.

For patients taking flurazepam:

When you begin to take this medicine, your sleeping problem will improve somewhat the first night. However, 2 or 3 nights may pass before you receive the full effects of this medicine.

Dosing

The dose medicines in this class will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of these medicines. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

For oral dosage form (solution or tablets):
- For anxiety:
  - Adults At first, 0.25 to 0.5 milligram (mg) three times a day. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 4 mg a day.
  - Children younger than 18 years of age Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  - Older adults At first, 0.25 mg two or three times a day. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed.
- For panic disorder:
  - Adults At first, 0.5 mg three times a day. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 10 mg a day.
  - Children younger than 18 years of age Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

For oral dosage form (tablets):
- For anxiety:
  - Adults 6 to 30 milligrams (mg) a day, taken in smaller doses during the day.
  - Children younger than 18 years of age Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  - Older adults At first, up to 3 mg a day. Your doctor may change your dose if needed.

For oral dosage form (capsules):
- For anxiety:
  - Adults 5 to 25 milligrams (mg) three or four times a day.
  - Children 6 years of age and older 5 mg two to four times a day. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed.
  - Children younger than 6 years of age Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  - Older adults At first, 5 mg two to four times a day. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed.
- For sedation during withdrawal from alcohol:
  - Adults At first, 50 to 100 mg, repeated if needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 400 mg a day.
  - Children Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
For injection dosage form:
- For anxiety:
  - Adults At first, 50 to 100 mg, injected into a muscle or vein. Then, if needed, 25 to 50 mg three or four times a day.
  - Teenagers 25 to 50 mg, injected into a muscle or vein.
  - Children younger than 12 years of age Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  - Older adults 25 to 50 mg, injected into a muscle or vein.
- For sedation during withdrawal from alcohol:
  - Adults At first, 50 to 100 mg, injected into a muscle or vein. If needed, the dose may be repeated in two to four hours.
  - Children Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

For oral dosage form (tablets):
- For control of seizures:
  - Adults At first, 5 to 15 milligrams (mg) a day. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 80 mg a day.
  - Children 2 to 16 years of age At first, 5 mg a day. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 40 mg a day.
  - Children younger than 2 years of age Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor.

For oral dosage form (tablets):
- For control of seizures:
  - Adults At first, 0.5 milligram (mg) three times a day. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 20 mg a day.
  - Infants and children younger than 10 years of age Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor.
- For panic disorder:
  - Adults At first, 0.25 mg two times a day. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 4 mg a day.
  - Children Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

For oral dosage forms (capsules or tablets):
- For anxiety:
  - Adults and teenagers 7.5 to 15 mg two to four times a day. Or your doctor may want you to start by taking 15 mg at bedtime.
  - Children younger than 12 years of age Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  - Older adults At first, 3.75 to 15 mg a day. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed.
- For sedation during withdrawal from alcohol:
  - Adults and teenagers At first, 30 mg. Your doctor will set up a schedule that will gradually reduce your dose.
  - Children younger than 12 years of age Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For control of seizures:
  - Adults and teenagers At first, up to 7.5 mg taken three times a day. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 90 mg a day.
  - Children 9 to 12 years of age At first, up to 7.5 mg two times a day. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 60 mg a day.
  - Children younger than 9 years of age Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
For long-acting oral dosage form (extended-release tablets):
- For anxiety:
  - Adults and teenagers Your doctor may change your dosage form to the extended-release tablet if you are already taking 3.75 or 7.5 milligrams (mg) of clorazepate three times a day. The extended-release tablet is taken one time each day.
  - Children younger than 12 years of age Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For control of seizures:
  - Adults, teenagers, and children 9 to 12 years of age Your doctor may change your dosage form to the extended-release tablet if you are already taking 3.75 or 7.5 milligrams (mg) of clorazepate three times a day. The extended-release tablet is taken one time each day.
  - Children younger than 9 years of age Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

For oral dosage forms (solution or tablets):
- For anxiety:
  - Adults 2 to 10 mg two to four times a day.
  - Children 6 months of age and older Dose is based on body weight or size and must be determined by your doctor.
  - Children younger than 6 months of age Use is not recommended.
  - Older adults 2 to 2.5 mg one or two times a day. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed.
- For sedation during withdrawal from alcohol:
  - Adults At first, 10 mg three or four times a day. Your doctor will set up a schedule that will gradually decrease your dose.
  - Children Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For control of seizures:
  - Adults 2 to 10 mg two to four times a day.
  - Children 6 months of age and older Dose is based on body weight or size and must be determined by your doctor.
  - Children younger than 6 months of age Use is not recommended.
  - Older adults 2 to 2.5 mg one or two times a day. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed.
- For relaxing muscles:
  - Adults 2 to 10 mg three or four times a day.
  - Children 6 months of age and older Dose is based on body weight or size and must be determined by your doctor.
  - Children younger than 6 months of age Use is not recommended.
  - Older adults 2 to 2.5 mg one or two times a day. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed.
For injection dosage form:
- For anxiety:
  - Adults 2 to 10 mg, injected into a muscle or vein.
  - Children Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  - Older adults 2 to 5 mg, injected into a muscle or vein.
- For sedation during withdrawal from alcohol:
  - Adults At first, 10 mg injected into a muscle or vein. If needed, 5 to 10 mg may be given three or four hours later.
  - Children Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For sedation before surgery or other procedures:
  - Adults 5 to 20 mg, injected into a muscle or vein.
  - Children Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  - Older adults 2 to 5 mg, injected into a muscle or vein.
- For control of seizures:
  - Adults At first, 5 to 10 mg, usually injected into a vein every ten to fifteen minutes, stopping if the total dose reaches 30 mg. If needed, this treatment may be repeated in two to four hours.
  - Children 5 years of age and older At first, 1 mg, usually injected into a vein every two to five minutes, stopping if the total dose reaches 10 mg. This treatment may be repeated in two to four hours.
  - Infants older than 30 days of age and children younger than 5 years of age At first, 0.2 to 0.5 mg, usually injected into a vein every two to five minutes, stopping if the total dose reaches 5 mg. This treatment may be repeated in two to four hours.
  - Newborns and infants 30 days of age and younger Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  - Older adults 2 to 5 mg, injected into a muscle or vein.
- For relaxing muscle spasms:
  - Adults At first, 5 to 10 mg injected into a muscle or vein. The dose may be repeated in three or four hours.
  - Children Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  - Older adults 2 to 5 mg, injected into a muscle or vein.
- For relaxing muscles in tetanus:
  - Adults At first, 5 to 10 mg injected into a muscle or vein. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed.
  - Children 5 years of age and older 5 to 10 mg, injected into a muscle or vein. The dose may be repeated every three to four hours if needed.
  - Infants older than 30 days of age and children younger than 5 years of age 1 to 2 mg, injected into a muscle or vein. The dose may be repeated every three to four hours if needed.
  - Newborns and infants 30 days of age and younger Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
For rectal dosage forms (gel or solution):
- For control of seizures:
  - Adults and teenagers Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor.
  - Children Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor.

For oral dosage form (tablets):
- For trouble in sleeping:
  - Adults 1 milligram (mg) at bedtime. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 2 mg.
  - Children younger than 18 years of age Use and dose must be determined by your doctor

For oral dosage forms (capsules or tablets):
- For trouble in sleeping:
  - Adults 15 or 30 milligrams (mg) at bedtime.
  - Children younger than 15 years of age Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  - Older adults At first, 15 mg at bedtime. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed.

For oral dosage form (tablets):
- For anxiety:
  - Adults 20 to 40 milligrams (mg) three or four times a day.
  - Children younger than 18 years of age Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  - Older adults 20 mg one or two times a day.

For oral dosage forms (concentrate or tablets):
- For anxiety:
  - Adults and teenagers 1 to 3 milligrams (mg) two or three times a day.
  - Children younger than 12 years of age Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  - Older adults 0.5 to 2 mg a day, taken in smaller doses during the day.
- For trouble in sleeping:
  - Adults and teenagers 2 to 4 mg taken at bedtime.
  - Children younger than 12 years of age Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
For oral dosage form (sublingual tablet):
- For anxiety:
  - Adults 2 to 3 mg a day, in smaller doses placed under the tongue during the day. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 6 mg a day.
  - Children younger than 18 years of age Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  - Older adults At first, 0.5 mg a day. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed.
- For sedation before surgery:
  - Adults Dose is based on body weight and will be determined by your doctor. However, the dose usually is not more than 4 mg, placed under the tongue, one to two hours before surgery.
  - Children Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
For injection dosage form:
- For sedation before surgery or other procedures:
  - Adults Dose is based on body weight and will be determined by your doctor. However, the dose usually is not more than 4 mg, injected into a muscle or vein.
  - Children younger than 18 years of age Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For control of seizures:
  - Adults At first, 4 mg slowly injected into a vein. The dose may be repeated after ten to fifteen minutes if needed.
  - Children younger than 18 years of age Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

For oral dosage form (tablets):
- For trouble in sleeping:
  - Adults 5 to 10 milligrams (mg) at bedtime.
  - Children Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  - Older adults At first, 2.5 mg taken at bedtime. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed.
- For control of seizures:
  - Children less than 30 kilograms (66 pounds) of body weight Dose is based on body weight and will be determined by your doctor.

For oral dosage forms (capsules or tablets):
- For anxiety:
  - Adults 10 to 30 milligrams (mg) three or four times a day.
  - Children younger than 12 years of age Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  - Older adults At first, 5 mg one or two times a day or 10 mg three times a day. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 15 mg four times a day.
- For sedation during withdrawal from alcohol:
  - Adults 15 to 30 mg three or four times a day.
  - Children younger than 12 years of age Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

For oral dosage form (tablets):
- For trouble in sleeping:
  - Adults 7.5 to 15 milligrams (mg) at bedtime.
  - Children younger than 18 years of age Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

For oral dosage form (capsules):
- For trouble in sleeping:
  - Adults 15 milligrams (mg) at bedtime. Your doctor may change your dose if needed.
  - Children younger than 18 years of age Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  - Older adults At first, 7.5 mg at bedtime. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed.

For oral dosage form (capsules):
- For trouble in sleeping:
  - Adults 0.125 to 0.25 milligram (mg) at bedtime.
  - Children younger than 18 years of age Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  - Older adults At first, 0.125 mg at bedtime. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed.

Missed dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

If you are taking this medicine regularly (for example, every day as for epilepsy) and you miss a dose, take it right away if you remember within an hour or so of the missed dose. However, if you do not remember until later, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Keep the oral disintegrating tablet form of this medicine in a tightly sealed bottle and discard any cotton that was included in the bottle

Precautions While Using This Medicine:

If you will be taking a benzodiazepine regularly for a long time:

Your doctor should check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine does not cause unwanted effects. If you are taking a benzodiazepine for convulsions (seizures), this is also important during the first few months of treatment.
Check with your doctor at regular visits to see if you need to continue taking this medicine.

If you are taking a benzodiazepine for epilepsy or another seizure disorder:

Your doctor may want you to carry a medical identification card or bracelet stating that you are taking this medicine.

If you are taking a benzodiazepine for insomnia (trouble in sleeping):

If you think you need this medicine for more than 7 to 10 days, be sure to discuss it with your doctor. Insomnia that lasts longer than this may be a sign of another medical problem.
You may have difficulty sleeping (rebound insomnia) for the first few nights after you stop taking this medicine.

Benzodiazepines may be habit-forming (causing mental or physical dependence), especially when taken for a long time or in high doses. Some signs of dependence on benzodiazepines are:

A strong desire or need to continue taking the medicine
A need to increase the dose to receive the effects of the medicine.
Withdrawal effects (for example, irritability, nervousness, trouble in sleeping, abdominal or stomach cramps, trembling or shaking) occurring after the medicine is stopped.

If you think you may have become mentally or physically dependent on this medicine, check with your doctor. Do not stop taking it suddenly.

If you have been taking this medicine in large doses or for a long time, do not stop taking it without first checking with your doctor. Your doctor may want you to reduce gradually the amount you are taking before stopping completely. Stopping this medicine suddenly may cause withdrawal side effects, including seizures. Stopping this medicine suddenly is most likely to cause seizures if you have been taking it for epilepsy or another seizure disorder.

This medicine will add to the effects of alcohol and other central nervous system (CNS) depressants (medicines that slow down the nervous system, possibly causing drowsiness). Some examples of CNS depressants are antihistamines or medicine for hay fever, other allergies, or colds; sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping medicine; prescription pain medicine or narcotics; barbiturates; medicine for seizures; muscle relaxants; or anesthetics, including some dental anesthetics. This effect may last for a few days after you stop taking this medicine. Check with your doctor before taking any of the above while you are taking this medicine.

If you think you or someone else may have taken an overdose of this medicine, get emergency help at once. Taking an overdose of a benzodiazepine or taking alcohol or other CNS depressants with the benzodiazepine may lead to unconsciousness and possibly death. Some signs of an overdose are continuing slurred speech or confusion, severe drowsiness, severe weakness, and staggering.

Before you have any medical tests, tell the medical doctor in charge that you are taking this medicine. The results of the metyrapone test may be affected by chlordiazepoxide.

If you develop any unusual and strange thoughts or behavior while you are taking this medicine, be sure to discuss it with your doctor. Some changes that have occurred in people taking this medicine are like those seen in people who drink alcohol and then act in a manner that is not normal. Other changes may be more unusual and extreme, such as confusion, agitation, and hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there).

This medicine may cause some people, especially older persons, to become drowsy, dizzy, lightheaded, clumsy or unsteady, or less alert than they are normally. Even if taken at bedtime, it may cause some people to feel drowsy or less alert on arising. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or are not alert.

Side Effects of This Medicine:

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common: Anxiety; confusion (may be more common in the elderly); fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat; lack of memory of events taking place after benzodiazepine is taken (may be more common with triazolam; mental depression

Rare: Abnormal thinking, including disorientation, delusions (holding false beliefs that cannot be changed by facts), or loss of sense of reality; agitation; behavior changes, including aggressive behavior, bizarre behavior, decreased inhibition, or outbursts of anger; convulsions (seizures); hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there); hypotension (low blood pressure); muscle weakness; skin rash or itching; sore throat, fever, and chills; trouble in sleeping; ulcers or sores in mouth or throat (continuing); uncontrolled movements of body, including the eyes; unusual bleeding or bruising; unusual excitement, nervousness, or irritability; unusual tiredness or weakness (severe); yellow eyes or skin

Symptoms of overdose: Confusion (continuing); convulsions (seizures); drowsiness (severe) or coma; shakiness; slow heartbeat; slow reflexes; slurred speech (continuing); staggering; troubled breathing; weakness (severe)

For patients having chlordiazepoxide, diazepam, or lorazepam injected: Check with your doctor if there is redness, swelling, or pain at the place of injection.

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common: Clumsiness or unsteadiness; dizziness or lightheadedness; drowsiness; slurred speech

Less common or rare: Abdominal or stomach cramps or pain; blurred vision or other changes in vision; changes in sexual desire or ability; constipation; diarrhea; dryness of mouth or increased thirst; false sense of well-being; headache; increased bronchial secretions or watering of mouth; muscle spasm; nausea or vomiting; problems with urination; trembling or shaking; unusual tiredness or weakness

Not all of the side effects listed above have been reported for each of these medicines, but they have been reported for at least one of them. All of the benzodiazepines are similar, so any of the above side effects may occur with any of these medicines.

After you stop using this medicine, your body may need time to adjust. During this time, check with your doctor if you notice any of the following side effects:

More common: Irritability; nervousness; trouble in sleeping

Less common: Abdominal or stomach cramps; confusion; fast or pounding heartbeat; increased sense of hearing; increased sensitivity to touch and pain; increased sweating; loss of sense of reality; mental depression; muscle cramps; nausea or vomiting; sensitivity of eyes to light; tingling, burning, or prickly sensations; trembling or shaking

Rare: Confusion as to time, place, or person; convulsions (seizures); feelings of suspicion or distrust; hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there)

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Last Updated: 6/12/2013

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