Clorazepate (By mouth)

Clorazepate (klor-AZ-e-pate)

Treats anxiety, trouble sleeping, symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, and certain types of epilepsy (seizures). Belongs to a class of drugs called benzodiazepines.

Brand Name(s):

Tranxene T-Tab

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to clorazepate or to other benzodiazepine medicine (such as Halcion®, Librium®, or Valium®). You should not use this medicine if you have a narrow angle glaucoma.

How to Use This Medicine:

Capsule, Tablet, Long Acting Tablet

Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.
Swallow the extended-release tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.
You may take this medicine with or without food.
This medicine may be used with other seizure medicines. Keep using all of your seizure medicines unless your doctor tells you to stop.
This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

If a dose is missed:

Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using hexobarbital (Evipan®), phenobarbital (Luminal®), a phenothiazine medicine (such as prochlorperazine, Compazine®, Mellaril®, Phenergan®, Thorazine®, or Trilafon®), or an MAO inhibitor (MAOI) such as Eldepryl®, Marplan®, Nardil®, or Parnate®.
Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.
Tell your doctor if you use anything else that makes you sleepy. Some examples are allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, and alcohol.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

Make sure your doctor knows if you have kidney disease, liver disease, glaucoma, lung disease, or a history of mental illness or depression.
It is important to tell your doctor if you become pregnant while using this medicine. Your doctor may want you to join a pregnancy registry for patients taking a seizure medicine.
You should not breastfeed if you are using this medicine.
This medicine can be habit-forming. Do not use more than your prescribed dose. Call your doctor if you think your medicine is not working.
Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.
This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.
For some children, teenagers, and young adults, this medicine can increase thoughts of suicide. Tell your doctor or your child's doctor right away if you or your child start to feel more depressed and have thoughts about hurting yourselves. Report any unusual thoughts or behaviors that trouble you or your child, especially if they are new or get worse quickly. Make sure the doctor knows if you or your child have trouble sleeping, get upset easily, have a big increase in energy, or start to act reckless. Also tell the doctor if you or your child have sudden or strong feelings, such as feeling nervous, angry, restless, violent, or scared. Let the doctor know if you, your child, or anyone in your family has bipolar disorder (manic-depressive) or has tried to commit suicide.
Older adults and children may be more sensitive to side effects than other patients.
Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Difficulty with breathing.
Feeling agitated, confused, sad, or irritable.
Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, and body aches.
Hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there).
Problems with balance or walking.
Severe muscle weakness or difficulty with standing.
Slurred speech or severe drowsiness.
Tremors.
Unusual behavior or thoughts of hurting yourself.
Unusual tiredness or weakness.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

Blurred or double vision.
Constipation, diarrhea, or upset stomach.
Difficulty with concentrating or memory loss.
Drowsiness, dizziness, or clumsiness.
Dry mouth.
"Hangover" effects after bedtime use.
Headache.
Skin rash.
Trouble with sleeping.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 1/27/2017