This medicine is used for the following purposes:
- alcohol withdrawal
- anxiety
Generic Name: Chlordiazepoxide
Instructions
This medicine may be taken with or without food.
Store at room temperature away from heat, light, and moisture. Do not keep in the bathroom.
If you are using this medicine regularly, it is important to take each dose of medicine on time. Keep taking the medicine even if you feel well.
If you forget to take a dose on time, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, do not take the missed dose. Return to your normal schedule. Do not take 2 doses at one time.
Drug interactions can change how medicines work or increase risk for side effects. Tell your health care providers about all medicines taken. Include prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal medicines. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist before starting or stopping any medicine.
Tell your doctor if symptoms do not get better or if they get worse.
Keep all appointments for medical exams and tests while on this medicine.
Cautions
This medicine is not recommended for use in children younger than 6.
Though it helps many people, this medicine may sometimes cause addiction, especially if it is used for a long time. This risk for addiction may be higher if you have a substance use disorder - such as overuse of or addiction to drugs or alcohol. Speak with your doctor about the benefits and risks of using this medicine.
If you stop this medicine suddenly, after using it regularly for a long time, you may have withdrawal symptoms. Your doctor may ask you to slowly reduce your dose before stopping it. Tell your doctor right away if you notice any symptoms of withdrawal. Withdrawal symptoms can include headaches, restlessness, hallucinations, confusion, depression, nausea, or seizures.
Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you ever had an allergic reaction to a medicine.
Do not use the medication any more than instructed.
This medicine may cause dizziness or fainting, especially after exercising or in hot weather. Be very careful when standing or sitting up quickly.
If possible, avoid using with alcohol, marijuana, or other medicines that can cause dizziness or drowsiness. These include allergy/cold products, muscle relaxers, sleep aids, and pain relievers.
Your ability to stay alert or to react quickly may be impaired by this medicine. Do not operate machinery or drive while on this medicine.
Family should check on the patient often. Call the doctor if patient becomes more depressed, has thoughts of suicide, or shows changes in behavior.
Do not breastfeed while on this medicine. This medicine can pass through breast milk to the baby.
This medicine can hurt a new baby in the womb. If you become pregnant while on this medicine, tell your doctor immediately. Your doctor may switch you to a different medicine.
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with breathing difficulties.
Call your doctor right away if you notice slow or shallow breathing.
Do not share this medicine with anyone who has not been prescribed this medicine.
Some patients have serious side effects from this medicine. Ask your pharmacist to show you the information from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and discuss it with you.
Side Effects
The following is a list of some common side effects from this medicine. Please speak with your doctor about what you should do if you experience these or other side effects.
- blurry vision
- constipation
- dizziness or drowsiness
- headaches
- nausea
Call your doctor or get medical help right away if you notice any of these more serious side effects:
- agitated feeling or trouble sleeping
- decreased awareness or responsiveness
- loss of balance
- shallow, irregular breathing
- confusion
- fainting
- hallucinations (unusual thoughts, seeing or hearing things that are not real)
- signs of liver damage (such as yellowing of eye or skin, dark urine, or unusual tiredness)
- memory problems or loss
- mood changes
- uncontrollable movement of face, tongue, arms or legs
- muscle aches, spasms or abnormal movements
- restlessness
- shortness of breath
- slurred speech
A few people may have an allergic reaction to this medicine. Symptoms can include difficulty breathing, skin rash, itching, swelling, or severe dizziness. If you notice any of these symptoms, seek medical help quickly.
Please speak with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist if you have any questions about this medicine.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This document tells you briefly how to take your medicine, but it does not tell you all there is to know about it. Your doctor or pharmacist may give you other documents about your medicine. Please talk to them if you have any questions. Always follow their advice.
There is a more complete description of this medicine available in English. Scan this code on your smartphone or tablet or use the web address below. You can also ask your pharmacist for a printout. If you have any questions, please ask your pharmacist.
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More information about CHLORDIAZEPOXIDE - ORAL
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Selected from data included with permission and copyright by First DataBank, Inc. This copyrighted material has been downloaded from a licensed data provider and is not for distribution, except as may be authorized by the applicable terms of use.
Conditions of Use: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment. The display and use of this drug information is subject to express Terms of Use.
