Clobazam

Description

Clobazam is a benzodiazepine which is used to control seizures in the adults and children above 2 years of age. It is recommended to start with a small dosage and increase gradually. Do not stop abruptly taking this medicine as it may cause withdrawal symptoms like convulsions, behavioral disorder, tremor, and anxiety.

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Clobazam

  • Fever
  • Unsteady walk
  • Difficulty with swallowing
  • Slurred speech
  • Restlessness
  • Aggressive
  • Body pain
  • Decreased appetite
  • Drowsiness
  • Bladder pain
  • Cloudy urine

Uses of Clobazam

What is it prescribed for?

  • Seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome
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Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • Onset of action
    The peak effect of this medicine can be observed in 0.5 to 4 hours.
  • Duration of effect
    The effect of this medicine can be observed for an average duration of 3 to 4 days.
  • Safe with alcohol?
    Consumption of alcohol is not recommended if the patient is receiving Clobazam. Inform the doctor if you are an alcoholic. Any symptoms of dizziness, difficulty in concentration should be reported to the doctor. Dose adjustments or an alternate medicine should be considered based on the clinical condition.
  • Is it habit forming?
    Habit forming tendency has been reported
  • Usage in pregnancy?
    This medicine is not recommended for pregnant women.
  • Usage while breast-feeding?
    This medicine is not recommended in breastfeeding women.

Allergy

Do not take this medicine if you have a known allergy to Clobazam.
Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

This medicine is not recommended for pregnant women.

Breast-feeding

This medicine is not recommended in breastfeeding women.
General warnings

Sedation

Clobazam may cause sedation generally in the 1st month of the treatment. Patients should avoid operating heavy machinery or driving vehicle. Inform the doctor if the symptoms persist.

Skin reactions

Clobazam may cause severe skin reactions like stevens-johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis especially first 8 weeks of the treatment. Inform the doctor if any symptoms appear and discontinue the treatment as early as possible.

Dependency

Clobazam have the tendency to cause dependency and abuse particularly after prolonged use or excessive dosages. Individuals with a history of alcohol or substance abuse should be treated carefully when they are on Clobazam. The withdrawal of this medicine should be tapered off gradually.

Suicidal thoughts

Use of benzodiazepines in depression conditions may increase the risk of suicide. Therefore this medicine should be used with caution and prescription size should be limited in patients with depression or suicidal tendencies.

Withdrawal symptoms

Clobazam should not be stopped immediately without informing the doctor due to the risk of withdrawal symptoms like convulsions, behavioral disorder, tremor, and anxiety. Gradual dose reduction should be made based on the outcomes in the patient.

Myasthenis gravis

Clobazam should be used with caution in the patients with myasthenia gravis due to the increase in the risk of muscle weakness.

Impaired liver function

Clobazam should be used with caution in the patients with mild to moderate liver injury. Lowest possible doses should be initiated and increase the dose based on the patient's response. This medicine is not recommended in the patients with severe liver injury.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of Clobazam, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed dose.

Overdose

Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol

Description

Use of benzodiazepines with alcohol will increase the central nervous system depression and impairs the cognitive function.

Instructions

Consumption of alcohol is not recommended if the patient is receiving Clobazam. Inform the doctor if you are an alcoholic. Any symptoms of dizziness, difficulty in concentration should be reported to the doctor. Dose adjustments or an alternate medicine should be considered based on the clinical condition.
Interaction with Medicine

Amitriptyline

Ethinyl Estradiol

Opoids

Antihypertensives

Disease interactions

Depression

Clobazam should be used with caution in the patients with the history of depression or a family history of depression. The prescription size should be limited. Any symptoms of mood changes should be reported to the doctor immediately.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Clobazam with or without food. Do not take in larger amounts than advised. Consult the doctor if you experience any undesirable effects. Do not stop taking the medicine without consulting your doctor as it may cause withdrawal symptoms.
Miscelleneous

Can be taken with or without food, as advised by your doctor

To be taken as instructed by doctor

May cause sleepiness

How it works
It works by stabilizing the brain cells and thus reduces the excitability of the brain cells.
Legal Status

Approved

Approved

Approved

Approved

Classification

Category

Benzodiazepines

Schedule

Schedule H

[Internet]. 2017 [cited 7 April 2017]. Available from:

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/31165

[Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 7 April 2017]. Available from:

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=de03bd69-2dca-459c-93b4-541fd3e9571c#section-2.6

Prescribing medicines in pregnancy database [Internet]. Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). 2017 [cited 7 April 2017]. Available from:

https://www.tga.gov.au/prescribing-medicines-pregnancy-database#searchname

[Internet]. Toxnet.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 7 April 2017]. Available from:

https://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search2/f?./temp/~8Z3int:1

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Information on this page was last updated on 16 Nov 2017

Disclaimer

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