What is chlordiazepoxide?
Chlordiazepoxide is in a group of drugs called benzodiazepines
(ben-zoe-dye-AZE-eh-peens). Chlordiazepoxide affects chemicals in the brain that may become
unbalanced and cause anxiety.
Chlordiazepoxide is used to treat anxiety disorders or alcohol withdrawal.
Chlordiazepoxide may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking chlordiazepoxide?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to chlordiazepoxide or to other
benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam (Xanax), clorazepate (Tranxene), diazepam (Valium),
lorazepam (Ativan), or oxazepam (Serax).
Before taking chlordiazepoxide, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you
have:
-
glaucoma;
-
asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, chronic obstructive
pulmonary disorder (COPD), or other breathing problems;
-
porphyria;
-
kidney or liver disease;
-
a history of depression or suicidal thoughts or behavior; or
-
a history of drug or alcohol addiction.
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment
or special tests to safely take this medication.
Chlordiazepoxide may be habit-forming and
should be used only by the
person it was prescribed for
. Chlordiazepoxide should never be shared with another
person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in
a secure place where others cannot get to it.
Chlordiazepoxide can cause birth defects in an unborn baby.
Do not use chlordiazepoxide without your doctor's consent if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor
if you become pregnant during treatment. Use an effective form of birth control while you are
using this medication.
Chlordiazepoxide may pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing baby. Do not
use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
The sedative effects of chlordiazepoxide may last longer in older adults. Accidental
falls are common in elderly patients who take benzodiazepines. Use caution to avoid falling or
accidental injury while you are taking chlordiazepoxide.
How should I take chlordiazepoxide?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in
larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on
your prescription label.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from
this medication.
Chlordiazepoxide should be used for only a short time. Do not take this medication
for longer than 4 months without your doctor's advice.
Contact your doctor if this medicine seems to stop working as well in treating your
symptoms.
Do not stop using chlordiazepoxide suddenly, or you could have seizures or
unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Talk to your doctor about how to avoid withdrawal symptoms
when you stop using chlordiazepoxide.
To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood and liver function
may need to be tested on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
Store chlordiazepoxide at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
Keep track of how many pills have been used from each new bottle of this medicine.
Benzodiazepines are drugs of abuse and you should be aware if any person in the household is
using this medicine improperly or without a prescription.
What happens if I miss a dose of chlordiazepoxide?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose,
skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time.
Do
not
take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about chlordiazepoxide?
Your pharmacist has information about chlordiazepoxide written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of chlordiazepoxide?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
-
confusion;
-
depressed mood, thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself;
-
restless muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or
neck;
-
hyperactivity, agitation, hostility;
-
hallucinations; or
-
jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Less serious side effects may include:
-
drowsiness, tiredness;
-
swelling;
-
skin rash;
-
nausea, vomiting, constipation; or
-
irregular menstrual periods.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell
your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about chlordiazepoxide?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to chlordiazepoxide or to other
benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam (Xanax), clorazepate (Tranxene), diazepam (Valium),
lorazepam (Ativan), or oxazepam (Serax).
This medication can cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Do not use
chlordiazepoxide if you are pregnant.
Before taking chlordiazepoxide, tell your doctor if you have any breathing problems,
glaucoma, porphyria, kidney or liver disease, or a history of depression, suicidal thoughts, or
addiction to drugs or alcohol.
Do not drink alcohol while taking chlordiazepoxide. This medication can increase
the effects of alcohol.
Tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy. They can add
to sleepiness caused by chlordiazepoxide.
Chlordiazepoxide may be habit-forming and
should be used only by the
person it was prescribed for
. Chlordiazepoxide should never be shared with another
person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in
a secure place where others cannot get to it.
What should I avoid while taking chlordiazepoxide?
Do not drink alcohol while taking chlordiazepoxide. This medication can increase
the effects of alcohol.
Chlordiazepoxide can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions.
Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and
medicine for seizures, or depression can add to sleepiness caused by chlordiazepoxide. Tell your
doctor if you regularly use any of these medicines, or any other anxiety medications.
What other drugs will affect chlordiazepoxide?
Before taking chlordiazepoxide, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following
drugs:
-
a barbiturate such as amobarbital (Amytal), butabarbital (Butisol),
mephobarbital (Mebaral), secobarbital (Seconal), or phenobarbital (Solfoton);
-
a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin); or
-
an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan),
phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine
(Parnate);
-
medicine to treat psychiatric disorders, such as
chlorpromazine (Thorazine), haloperidol (Haldol), mesoridazine (Serentil), pimozide (Orap), or
thioridazine (Mellaril);
-
narcotic medication such as butorphanol (Stadol), codeine,
hydrocodone (Lortab, Vicodin), levorphanol (Levo-Dromoran), meperidine (Demerol),
methadone (Dolophine, Methadose), morphine (Kadian, MS Contin, Oramorph), naloxone
(Narcan), oxycodone (OxyContin), propoxyphene (Darvon, Darvocet); or
-
an antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Etrafon),
amoxapine (Asendin), citalopram (Celexa), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin),
doxepin (Sinequan), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), imipramine
(Janimine, Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), paroxetine (Paxil), protriptyline (Vivactil),
sertraline (Zoloft), or trimipramine (Surmontil).
This is not a complete list and there may be other drugs that can
interact with chlordiazepoxide. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter
medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by
other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of chlordiazepoxide?
