What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
-CYP2C19 poor metabolizer, which means your body breaks down certain medications slowly
-Glaucoma
-Kidney disease
-Liver disease
-Lung or breathing disease, such as asthma or COPD
-Mental health conditions
-Substance use disorder
-Suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempt by you or a family member
-An unusual or allergic reaction to clobazam, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
-Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
-Breastfeeding
What may interact with this medication?
Do not take this medication with any of the following:
-Sodium oxybate
-Thioridazine
This medication may interact with the following:
-Alcohol
-Cannabidiol
-Estrogen and progestin hormones
-Medications that cause drowsiness before a procedure, such as propofol
-Medications that help you fall asleep
-Medications that relax muscles
-Opioids for pain or cough
-Other benzodiazepines
-Phenothiazines, such as chlorpromazine or prochlorperazine
-Some antihistamines
-Some medications for depression, such as amitriptyline or trazodone
-Some medications for seizures, such as phenobarbital or primidone
-Valerian
This medication may affect how other medications work, and other medications may affect the way this medication works. Talk with your care team about all the medications you take. They may suggest changes to your treatment plan to lower the risk of side effects and to make sure your medications work as intended.
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
What should I watch for while using this medication?
Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress. Tell your care team if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse.
There is a risk of abuse, misuse, and addiction with this medication. It is important to take this medication as directed by your care team.
This medication may affect your coordination, reaction time, or judgment. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you. Sit up or stand slowly to reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Drinking alcohol with this medication can increase the risk of these side effects.
This medication is a CNS depressant. This is a type of medication or substance that slows down your brain and nervous system. Taking it with other CNS depressants can make you too sleepy. This can make it hard to breathe and stay awake. In some cases, it can cause coma and death. CNS depressants include opioids, benzodiazepines, muscle relaxants, medications for sleep, alcohol, and street drugs. Talk to your care team about all the medications, vitamins, and supplements you take. They can tell you what is safe to take together. Call emergency services right away if you have slow or shallow breathing, feel dizzy or confused, or have trouble staying awake.
Do not stop taking this medication or reduce your dose without first talking to your care team. If you have taken this medication for a long time or take a high dose, your body may rely on it. Stopping it suddenly may cause a severe reaction. Talk to your care team about how long you need to take this medication. When it is time to stop, the dose will be slowly lowered over time to reduce the risk of side effects.
This medication may worsen depression and cause thoughts of suicide. This can happen at any time but is more common after first starting treatment and after a change in dose. Talk to your care team right away if you have changes in mood and behavior or thoughts of self-harm or suicide. They can help you.
This medication may cause serious skin reactions. They can happen weeks to months after starting the medication. Talk to your care team right away if you have fevers or flu-like symptoms with a rash. The rash may be red or purple and then turn into blisters or peeling of the skin. Or you might notice a red rash with swelling of the face, lips, or lymph nodes in your neck or under your arms.
Wear a medical ID bracelet or chain. Carry a card that describes your condition. List the medications and doses you take on the card.
Talk to your care team if you may be pregnant. Prolonged use of this medication during pregnancy can cause withdrawal in a newborn. Estrogen and progestin hormones may not work as well while you are taking this medication and for 28 days after the last dose. Your care team can help you find the contraceptive option that works for you.
Talk to your care team before breastfeeding. Changes to your treatment plan may be needed. If you breastfeed while taking this medication, seek medical care right away if you notice the child has slow or noisy breathing, is unusually sleepy or not able to wake up, or is limp.
What are the most serious risks of this medication?
Do not stop taking this medication or reduce your dose without first talking to your care team. If you have taken this medication for a long time or take a high dose, your body may rely on it. Taking the medication away too quickly can cause symptoms, such as anxiety, tremors, and trouble sleeping. In severe cases, hallucinations and seizures can occur. Talk to your care team about how long you need to take this medication. When it is time to stop, the dose will be slowly lowered over time to reduce the risk of side effects.