Medicine Digests
A Benzodiazepine sedative class type of dug , Clorazepate is generic drug name for Gen-Xene, Tranxene, Tranxene-SD , Tranxene T-Tab. It is commonly prescribe for treating several conditions :-
- Anxiety,
- tension,
- symptoms of acute alcohol withdrawal,
- partial seizures,
- fatigue,
- agitation,
- irritable bowel syndrome,
- and panic attacks.
General Information of the drug
- Clorazepate dipotassium is a benzodiazepine, which directly affect the brain. This drug is a central-nervous-system depressant, and can relax you and make you more tranquil or sleepier, or they can slow nervous system transmissions in such a way as to act as an anticonvulsant.
- Many doctors prefer benzodiazepines to other drugs that can be used to similar effect because they tend to be safer, have fewer side effects.
- Clorazepate may increase blood levels of digoxin and the chances of digoxin toxicity.
- Don’t mix it with alcohol, other sedatives, narcotics, barbiturates, monoamine oxidase inhibitor and other antidepressants, and antihistamines.
- Taking clorazepate with other similar effects drugs may result in excessive depression, tiredness, sleepiness, breathing difficulties, or related symptoms.
- Combining clorazepate with phenytoin may increase phenytoin blood concentrations and the chances of phenytoin toxicity.
- Smoking may reduce clorazepate’s effectiveness by increasing the rate at which it is broken down by the body.
- Clorazepate’s effects may be prolonged when it is mixed with cimetidine, contraceptive drugs, disulfiram, fluoxetine, isoniazid, ketoconazole, metoprolol, probenecid, propoxyphene, propranolol, rifampin, or valproic acid.
- If you have to take Tranxene for a prolong period of time, your doctor will need to monitor your blood counts and liver function to be sure of your health state.
- Theophylline may reduce clorazepate’s sedative effects.
- If you take antacids, separate them from your clorazepate dose by at least 1 hour to prevent them from interfering with the absorption of clorazepate into the bloodstream.
- The effect of levodopa + carbidopa may be decreased if it is taken together with clorazepate.
Cautions ( This drug may be addictive ! )
- Clorazepate may be addictive. It should be used with caution in people with a history of drug dependence.
- Do not take clorazepate if you are allergic or sensitive to any of its ingredients or to another benzodiazepine drug, including clonazepam.
- Clorazepate can aggravate narrow-angle glaucoma, but you may take it if you have open-angle glaucoma and are receiving therapy for it.
- Clorazepate should not be taken by psychotic patients because it is not effective for them and can trigger unusual excitement, stimulation, and rage.
- Clorazepate is not intended to be used for more than 3-4 months at a time. Your doctor should reassess your condition before continuing your prescription beyond that time.
- Your dosage should always be reduced gradually to prevent drug withdrawal symptoms, which may develop if you stop taking it after as few as 4 weeks of regular use but is more likely after longer use.
- Drug withdrawal symptoms may start with anxiety and progress to tingling in the hands or feet, sensitivity to bright light, sleep disturbances, cramps, tremors, muscle tension or twitching, poor concentration, flu-like symptoms, fatigue, appetite loss, sweating. and changes in mental state.
- Other conditions in which clorazepate should be avoided are: severe depression, severe lung disease, sleep apnea (intermittent cessation of breathing during sleep), liver disease, drunkenness, and kidney disease. In each of these conditions, the depressive effects of clorazepate may be enhanced or could be detrimental to your overall condition.
Note
- This drug is for Adult Only ! It is not recommended for child.
- Clorazepate is best taken on an empty stomach, but if it upsets your stomach then it may be taken with food. Consult your doctor on this.
- Clorazepate can cause tiredness, drowsiness, inability to concentrate, or similar symptoms. Be careful if you are driving, operating machinery, or performing other activities that require concentration.
- People taking clorazepate for more than 3 or 4 months at a time may develop drug withdrawal reactions if the medication is stopped suddenly (see “Cautions” section above). Do not stop taking clorazepate or increase or decrease your dosage without first consulting your doctor.
- Do not take a double dose. If you forget a dose of clorazepate, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you forgot and continue with your regular schedule.
Pregnancy/Breast-feeding period :
- Clorazepate may cause birth defects if taken during the first 3 months of pregnancy.
- Avoid this drug if you are or might be pregnant, as Clorazepate may pass into breast milk. Nursing mothers who must take clorazepate should switch to use infant formula.
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