Drug Database - Chlordiazepoxide

Generic Name: Chlordiazepoxide (klor-dye-az-e-POX-ide)

Brand Names: Libritabs®, Librium®, Mitran®, Poxi®

Classification: Benzodiazepines

Issue Date: 1978

Chlordiazepoxide is in a group of drugs called benzodiazepines (ben-zoe-dye-AZE-eh-peens). Chlordiazepoxide affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause anxiety. Chlordiazepoxide is used to treat anxiety disorders or alcohol withdrawal.

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to chlordiazepoxide or to other benzodiazepines, such as:

• alprazolam (Xanax)
• clorazepate (Tranxene)
• diazepam (Valium)
• lorazepam (Ativan)
• oxazepam (Serax)

This medication can cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Do not use chlordiazepoxide if you are pregnant.

Before taking chlordiazepoxide, tell your doctor if you have:

• breathing problems
• glaucoma
• porphyria
• kidney or liver disease
• history of depression
• suicidal thoughts
• addiction to drugs or alcohol

Do not drink alcohol while taking chlordiazepoxide. This medication can increase the effects of alcohol. Avoid using other medicines that make you sleepy. They can add to sleepiness caused by chlordiazepoxide. Chlordiazepoxide may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Chlordiazepoxide should never be shared with another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it.

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.

Chlordiazepoxide should be used for only a short time. Do not take this medication for longer than 4 months without your doctor's advice.

Chlordiazepoxide may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Chlordiazepoxide should never be shared with another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it.

Contact your doctor if this medicine seems to stop working as well in treating your symptoms.

Do not stop using chlordiazepoxide suddenly without first talking to your doctor. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely.

Your symptoms may return when you stop using chlordiazepoxide after using it over a long period of time. You may also have seizures or withdrawal symptoms when you stop using chlordiazepoxide.

Withdrawal symptoms may include:

• tremor
• sweating
• trouble sleeping
• muscle cramps
• stomach pain
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• irritability
• memory problems
• confusion
• unusual thoughts or behavior
• seizure (convulsions)

To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood and liver function may need to be tested on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

Store chlordiazepoxide at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

Keep track of how many pills have been used from each new bottle of this medicine. Benzodiazepines are drugs of abuse and you should be aware if any person in the household is using this medicine improperly or without a prescription.

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to chlordiazepoxide or to other benzodiazepines, such as:

• alprazolam (Xanax®)
• clorazepate (Tranxene®)
• diazepam (Valium®)
• lorazepam (Ativan®)
• oxazepam
• (Serax®)

Before taking chlordiazepoxide, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• glaucoma
• asthma
• emphysema
• bronchitis
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD)
• other breathing problems
• porphyria
• kidney or liver disease
• a history of depression or suicidal thoughts or behavior
• a history of drug or alcohol addiction

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use chlordiazepoxide, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

Chlordiazepoxide can cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Do not use chlordiazepoxide without your doctor's consent if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. Use an effective form of birth control while you are using this medication.

Chlordiazepoxide may pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

The sedative effects of chlordiazepoxide may last longer in older adults. Accidental falls are common in elderly patients who take benzodiazepines. Use caution to avoid falling or accidental injury while you are taking chlordiazepoxide.

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. An overdose of chlordiazepoxide can be fatal.

Symptoms of an chlordiazepoxide overdose may include:

• extreme drowsiness
• confusion
• excitation
• muscle weakness
• loss of balance or coordination
• feeling light-headed
• fainting
• coma

Side Effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction:

• hives
• difficulty breathing
• swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• confusion
• depressed mood, thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself
• restless muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or neck
• hyperactivity, agitation, hostility
• hallucinations
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)

Less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:

• drowsiness, tiredness
• swelling
• skin rash
• nausea, vomiting, constipation
• irregular menstrual periods

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

Before taking chlordiazepoxide, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

• amobarbital (Amytal®)
• butabarbital (Butisol®)
• mephobarbital (Mebaral®)
• secobarbital (Seconal®)
• phenobarbital (Luminal®, Solfoton®)
• warfarin (Coumadin®)
• isocarboxazid (Marplan®)
• phenelzine (Nardil®)
• rasagiline (Azilect®)
• selegiline (Eldepryl®, Emsam®)
• tranylcypromine (Parnate®)
• chlorpromazine (Thorazine®)
• haloperidol (Haldol®)
• mesoridazine (Serentil®)
• pimozide (Orap®)
• thioridazine (Mellaril®)
• butorphanol (Stadol®)
• codeine
• hydrocodone (Loratab®, Vicodin®)
• levorphanol (Levo-Dromoran®)
• meperidine (Demerol®)
• methadone (Dolophine®, Methadose®)
• morphine (Kadian®, MS Contin®, Oramorph®)
• naloxone (Narcan®)
• oxycodone (OxyContin®)
• propoxyphene (Darvon®, Darvocet®)
• amitriptyline (Elavil®, Etrafon®)
• amoxapine (Ascendin®)
• citalopram (Celexa®)
• clomipramine (Anafranil®)
• desipramine (Norpramin®)
• doxepin (Sinequan®)
• escitalopram (Lexapro®)
• fluoxetine (Prozac®, Sarafem®)
• fluvoxamine (Luvox®)
• imipramine (Janimine®, Tofranil®)
• nortriptyline (Pamelor®)
• paroxetine (Paxil®)
• protriptyline (Vivactil®)
• sertraline (Zoloft®)
• trimipramine (Surmontil®)

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use chlordiazepoxide, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect chlordiazepoxide. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.