Potassium Clorazepate

Potassium clorazepate is a long acting benzodiazepine with general properties as Diazepam.

Potassium Clorazepate is primarily indicated in conditions like Anxiety, Epilepsy, and can also be given in adjunctive therapy as an alternative drug of choice in Alcohol withdrawal syndrome.

Potassium Clorazepate is contraindicated in conditions like Hypersensitivity.

The side effectmostfrequentlyreported wasdrowsiness.Lesscommonlyreported (in descending order of occurrence)were:dizziness, various gastrointestinal complaints,nervousness, blurred vision, dry mouth,headache, and mentalconfusion.Other side effects included insomnia,transientskinrashes,fatigue,ataxia,genitourinarycomplaints,irritability,diplopia,depression,tremor, and slurredspeech. There have been reports of abnormalliver and kidneyfunction tests and of decrease in hematocrit. Decrease in systolicbloodpressurehas been observed. To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Aurobindo Pharma USA, Inc. at 1-866-850-2876 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch .

Risks from Concomitant Use with Opioids: Concomitant use of benzodiazepines, including Clorazepate dipotassium tablets, and opioids may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. Because of these risks, reserve concomitant prescribing of these drugs in patients for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate. Observational studies have demonstrated that concomitant use of opioid analgesics and benzodiazepines increases the risk of drug-related mortality compared to use of opioids alone. If a decision is made to prescribe Clorazepate dipotassium tablets concomitantly with opioids, prescribe the lowest effective dosages and minimum durations of concomitant use, and follow patients closely for signs and symptoms of respiratory depression and sedation. In patients already receiving an opioid analgesic, prescribe a lower initial dose of Clorazepate dipotassium tablets than indicated in the absence of an opioid and titrate based on clinical response. If an opioid is initiated in a patient already taking Clorazepate dipotassium tablets, prescribe a lower initial dose of the opioid and titrate based upon clinical response. Advise both patients and caregivers about the risks of respiratory depression and sedation when Clorazepate dipotassium tablets is used with opioids. Advise patients not to drive or operate heavy machinery until the effects of concomitant use with the opioid have been determined (see PRECAUTIONS: Drug Interactions ).

Risks from Concomitant Use with Opioids: Concomitant use of benzodiazepines, including Clorazepate dipotassium tablets, and opioids may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. Because of these risks, reserve concomitant prescribing of these drugs in patients for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate. Observational studies have demonstrated that concomitant use of opioid analgesics and benzodiazepines increases the risk of drug-related mortality compared to use of opioids alone. If a decision is made to prescribe Clorazepate dipotassium tablets concomitantly with opioids, prescribe the lowest effective dosages and minimum durations of concomitant use, and follow patients closely for signs and symptoms of respiratory depression and sedation. In patients already receiving an opioid analgesic, prescribe a lower initial dose of Clorazepate dipotassium tablets than indicated in the absence of an opioid and titrate based on clinical response. If an opioid is initiated in a patient already taking Clorazepate dipotassium tablets, prescribe a lower initial dose of the opioid and titrate based upon clinical response. Advise both patients and caregivers about the risks of respiratory depression and sedation when Clorazepate dipotassium tablets is used with opioids. Advise patients not to drive or operate heavy machinery until the effects of concomitant use with the opioid have been determined (see PRECAUTIONS: Drug Interactions ).

30 mg (30 (30)) As recommended. PO — Given as Clorazepate dipotassium:For the symptomatic relief of anxiety: 7.5 mg (7.5 (7.5)) 8 hourly PO — Given as Clorazepate dipotassium:As an Adjunct to Antiepileptic Drugs:Dosage should be increased by no more than 7.5 mg every week and should not exceed 90 mg/day. Scraped Dose — Overdosage of benzodiazepines is characterized by central nervous system depression ranging from drowsiness to coma. In mild to moderate cases, symptoms can include drowsiness, confusion, dysarthria, lethargy, hypnotic state, diminished reflexes, ataxia, and hypotonia. Rarely, paradoxical or disinhibitory reactions (including agitation, irritability, impulsivity, violent behavior, confusion, restlessness, excitement, and talkativeness) may occur. In severe overdosage cases, patients may develop respiratory depression and coma. Overdosage of benzodiazepines in combination with other CNS depressants (including alcohol and opioids) may be fatal (see WARNINGS: Dependence and Withdrawal Reactions ). Markedly abnormal (lowered or elevated) blood pressure, heart rate, or respiratory rate raise the concern that additional drugs and/or alcohol are involved in the overdosage. In managing benzodiazepine overdosage, employ general supportive measures, including intravenous fluids and airway management. Flumazenil, a specific benzodiazepine receptor antagonist indicated for the complete or partial reversal of the sedative effects of benzodiazepines in the management of benzodiazepine overdosage, can lead to withdrawal and adverse reactions, including seizures, particularly in the context of mixed overdosage with drugs that increase seizure risk (e.g., tricyclic and tetracyclic antidepressants) and in patients with long-term benzodiazepine use and physical dependency. The risk of withdrawal seizures with flumazenil use may be increased in patients with epilepsy. Flumazenil is contraindicated in patients who have received a benzodiazepine for control of a potentially life-threatening condition (e.g., status epilepticus). If the decision is made to use flumazenil, it should be used as an adjunct to, not as a substitute for, supportive management of benzodiazepine overdosage. See the flumazenil injection Prescribing Information. Consider contacting the Poison Help line (1-800-222-1222) or a medical toxicologist for additional overdosage management recommendations.

No child dosage information is recorded for this medicine yet.

No neonatal dosage information is recorded for this medicine yet.

Theconcomitant use of benzodiazepines and opioidsincreases the riskof respiratorydepressionbecause of actionsatdifferentreceptor sites in the CNS that control respiration.Benzodiazepinesinteract at GABAA sites and opioidsinteractprimarilyatmu receptors. Whenbenzodiazepinesand opioids arecombined, the potentialforbenzodiazepinestosignificantlyworsenopioid-relatedrespiratorydepressionexists.Limitdosageandduration of concomitant use of benzodiazepines and opioids, and monitorpatients closelyforrespiratorydepressionandsedation. If Clorazepate dipotassium tablets is to be combined with other drugs acting on the central nervous system, careful consideration should be given to thepharmacology of the agentsto be employed.Animalexperienceindicates that clorazepatedipotassium prolongs thesleepingtimeafterhexobarbital or afterethylalcohol,increases the inhibitoryeffects of chlorpromazine, but does not exhibitmonoamineoxidaseinhibition.Clinicalstudies have shownincreasedsedationwithconcurrent hypnotic medications.Theactions of the benzodiazepines may be potentiated by barbiturates,narcotics,phenothiazines,monoamine oxidase inhibitors or other antidepressants. If Clorazepate dipotassium tablets are used to treatanxietyassociatedwithsomatic disease states,carefulattentionmust be paid to possible druginteractionwith concomitantmedication. In bioavailabilitystudieswithnormalsubjects,theconcurrentadministration of antacidsattherapeuticlevelsdid not significantlyinfluencethebioavailability of Clorazepate dipotassium tablets.

Store in a well closed container. Protect from Sunlight.