Clobazam
Introduction To Clobazam
Clobazam belongs to a class of medicines known as benzodiazepines. It is used to treat epilepsy (seizures) and severe anxiety. It works by suppressing the abnormal and excessive activity of the nerve cells in the brain.
Clobazam may be taken with or without food. However, it is advised to take it at the same time each day as this helps to maintain a consistent level of medicine in the body. Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor as it has a high potential of habit-forming.
If you have missed a dose, take it as soon as you remember and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better. It is important that this medication is not stopped suddenly without talking to your doctor as it may increase seizure frequency.
Some common side effects of this medicine include tiredness, slurred speech, fever, cough, drooling, constipation, and difficulty in passing urine. It may cause dizziness and sleepiness, so do not drive or do anything that requires mental focus until you know how this medicine affects you. It is important to consult the doctor if you notice blisters on the skin or inside your mouth. If you have been taking this medicine for a long time then regular monitoring of blood and liver functions may be required.
Uses of Clobazam
- Treatment of Epilepsy/Seizures
- Treatment of Severe anxiety
Benefits of Clobazam
Treatment of Epilepsy/Seizures
Clobazam slows down electrical signals in the brain that cause seizures
(fits). It can also help reduce symptoms of seizures, such as confusion,
uncontrollable jerking movements, loss of awareness, and fear or anxiety. This
medicine can allow you to do some activities that you would otherwise be
forbidden or scared to do (such as swimming and driving). It can take a few
weeks for this medicine to work (because the dose has to be increased slowly)
and during this time you may still have seizures. Therefore, do not stop using
this medicine even if you feel well, until your doctor advises you to. Missing
doses may trigger a seizure.
Treatment of Severe anxiety
Clobazam reduces the symptoms of excessive anxiety and worry. It can also
reduce feelings of restlessness, tiredness, difficulty concentrating, and
irritability. Therefore, it helps one to go about their daily activities more
easily and be more productive. Keep taking this medicine even if you feel
well. Stopping it suddenly can cause serious problems; so, do not stop taking
it without discussing with the doctor.
Side effects of Clobazam
Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them
Common side effects of Pisful
- Constipation
- Sleepiness
- Depression
- Dizziness
- Dryness in mouth
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Nausea
- Sedation
- Speech disorder
- Decreased appetite
- Irritability
- Aggression
- Restlessness
- Drug tolerance
- Difficulty in paying attention
- Tremors
- Abnormality of voluntary movements
Severe side effects of Pisful
- Insomnia (difficulty in sleeping)
- Drug dependence
- Psychotic disorder
- Suicidal ideation
- Cognitive disorder
- Impaired consciousness
- Nystagmus (involuntary eye movement)
- Abnormal gait
- Respiratory depression
- Photosensitivity
- Urticaria
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome
- Toxic epidermal necrolysis
- Muscle spasm
How to use Clobazam
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Clobazam may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.
How Clobazam works
Clobazam is a benzodiazepine. It works by increasing the action of a chemical messenger (GABA) which suppresses the abnormal and excessive activity of the nerve cells in the brain.
Quick tips
-
The addiction / habit-forming potential of this medicine is very high. Take it only as per the dose and duration advised by your doctor
-
It may cause dizziness. Do not drive or do anything that requires mental focus until you know how this medicine affects you.
-
Avoid consuming alcohol as it may increase dizziness and drowsiness.
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Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to conceive or breastfeeding.
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Inform your doctor if you notice sores or blisters on your skin, lips, or inside your mouth.
-
Do not stop taking medication suddenly without talking to your doctor as that may lead to nausea, anxiety, agitation, flu-like symptoms, sweating, tremor, and confusion.
Safety Advice
PregnancyCONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Can I take Clobazam if I’m pregnant?
Clobazam may be unsafe to use during pregnancy. Although there are limited studies in humans, animal studies have shown harmful effects on the developing baby. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you. Please consult your doctor.
BreastfeedingCONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Can I take Clobazam if I’m breastfeeding?
Clobazam is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby. Short-term use is not expected to cause any adverse effects in the breastfed baby, especially if the baby is older than 2 months. During long-term use, monitor for possible sleepiness.
AlcoholUNSAFE
Is drinking alcohol while taking Clobazam safe?
Clobazam may cause excessive drowsiness with alcohol.
DrivingUNSAFE
Can I drive after taking Clobazam?
Clobazam may cause side effects which could affect your ability to drive. You may feel sleepy or have concentration or memory problems after taking Clobazam and this may affect your ability to drive.
KidneyCAUTION
Can I take Clobazam if I have/had kidney diseases?
Clobazam should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Clobazam may be needed. Please consult your doctor. Limited information is available on the use of Clobazam in these patients. No dose adjustment is recommended in patients with mild to moderate kidney disease.
LiverCAUTION
Can I take Clobazam if I have/had liver diseases?
Clobazam should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Clobazam may be needed. Please consult your doctor. Limited information is available on use of Clobazam in patients with severe liver disease.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is Clobazam habit forming?
Yes, Clobazam can be habit forming if used for a long time. The risk of dependence increases with dose and duration of treatment; it is also greater in patients with a history of alcohol or drug abuse. Therefore, the duration of treatment is generally as short as possible.
Q. Can Clobazam make me sleepy?
Yes, Clobazam can make you sleepy. It usually begins within the first month of treatment and may diminish with continued treatment.
Q. How long does Clobazam take to work?
Clobazam is a fast-acting medicine, which means that it quickly gets absorbed from the bloodstream. Clobazam reaches its highest blood levels within half an hour to 4 hours after the dose is taken.
Q. Is Clobazam the same as clonazepam?
No, Clobazam and clonazepam are not the same medicines but belong to the same class of drugs known as benzodiazepines.
Q. How long does Clobazam withdrawal last?
Withdrawal syndrome may develop at any time up to 3 weeks after stopping Clobazam. Withdrawal signs may last anywhere from 4 weeks to a year or more.
Q. Can I stop taking Clobazam?
No, do not stop taking Clobazam even if you are feeling well, unless your doctor tells you to. Suddenly stopping Clobazam may cause unwanted effects known as withdrawal symptoms. To prevent this, the dose of clobazam needs to be reduced gradually before completely stopping it. Therefore, it is important that you consult your doctor first.
Q. What if more than the recommended dose of Clobazam is taken?
Taking more than the recommended doses of Clobazam can affect in different ways, and the patient should seek immediate medical help. In mild cases, it may cause symptoms such as drowsiness, mental confusion, and tiredness. Whereas, in more serious cases, the symptoms may include the complete loss of control of bodily movements, decreased muscle tone, low blood pressure, respiratory depression, coma in rare cases, and death in very rare cases.
Q. Can using Clobazam cause a decrease in the blood pressure?
Generally, the use of Clobazam does not cause a decrease in the blood pressure, but taking more than the recommended doses of Clobazam may cause a fall in the blood pressure
Q. Can Clobazam make me tired?
Clobazam may cause tiredness along with muscle weakness. In case you experience tiredness or if tiredness persists for a long time, then you should consult your doctor.
Q. Does Clobazam cause depression?
No, Clobazam dose not cause depression, but it can cause recurrence of pre- existing depression.
References
Written By:
Dr Advikka Ridhy
MBBS
RMO, Aster MIMS
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