This medication is used with other medications to help
control seizures. It belongs to a class of medications called
benzodiazepines, which act on the brain and nerves (central nervous system)
to produce a calming effect. This drug works by enhancing the effects of a
certain natural chemical in the body (GABA).
See also Warning section.
Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist
before you start taking clobazam and each time you get a refill. If you
have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth with or without food as
directed by your doctor. If unable to swallow tablets, they may be crushed
and mixed with applesauce. If you are using the liquid form of this
medication, shake the bottle well before each dose. Carefully measure the
dose using a special measuring device/syringe. Do not use a household spoon
because you may not get the correct dose. Read the Instructions for Use on
how to properly use the special measuring device/syringe. If you have any
questions, ask your pharmacist.
If you are taking this medication once daily, then take
it at bedtime. If you are taking this medication in divided doses, take the
largest dose at bedtime.
The dosage is based on your medical condition and
response to treatment. Infant's dosage may also be based on
weight.
Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit
from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time(s) each
day.
Though it helps many people, this medication may
sometimes cause addiction. This risk may be higher if you have a substance
use disorder (such as overuse of or addiction to drugs/alcohol). Do not
increase your dose, take it more often, or use it for a longer time than
prescribed. Properly stop the medication when so directed.
When used for an extended period, this medication may
not work as well and may require different dosing. Talk with your doctor if
this medication stops working well.
Tell your doctor if your condition lasts or gets
worse.
See also Warning section.
Drowsiness, dizziness, tiredness, headache,
constipation, weight gain, cough, drooling, trouble sleeping, or nausea may
occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or
pharmacist promptly.
Remember that this medication has been prescribed
because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the
risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious
side effects.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side
effects, including:
- mental/mood/behavior changes (such as agitation, nervousness,
confusion, memory loss)
- muscle weakness
- loss of coordination
- shaking (tremor) of the fingers
- vision changes (such as blurred vision, double vision)
- trouble speaking
- painful urination
A small number of people who take anticonvulsants for
any condition may experience depression, suicidal thoughts/attempts, or
other mental/mood problems. Tell your doctor right away if you or your
family/caregiver notice any unusual/sudden changes in your mood, thoughts,
or behavior including signs of depression, suicidal thoughts/attempts,
thoughts about harming yourself.
Get medical help right away if you have any very serious
side effects, including:
Clobazam may rarely cause very serious (possibly fatal)
skin reactions, especially during the first 8 weeks of treatment or when
restarting treatment with this medication. Get medical help right away if
you develop any of the following symptoms: skin rash/blisters/peeling,
itching, or mouth sores. If you have a very serious skin reaction and your
doctor says it was caused by clobazam, you should not take the medication
again. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.
However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a
serious allergic reaction, including:
- fever
- swollen lymph nodes
- rash
- itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
- severe dizziness
- trouble breathing
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If
you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or
pharmacist.
In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at
www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about
side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at
1-866-234-2345.
Before taking clobazam, tell your doctor or pharmacist
if you are allergic to it; or to other benzodiazepines (such as diazepam);
or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive
ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to
your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or
pharmacist your medical history, especially of:
- muscle disorders (such as myasthenia gravis, weakness, loss
of coordination)
- personal or family history of a substance use disorder (such
as overuse of or addiction to drugs/alcohol)
- liver disease
- glaucoma
- mental/mood disorders (such as depression, psychosis)
- breathing problems (such as asthma, chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease-COPD, sleep apnea)
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about
all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription
drugs, and herbal products).
This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Alcohol or
marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use
machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely.
Avoid alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana
(cannabis). Alcohol may also increase the drug levels.
Older adults may be more sensitive to the effects of the
drug, especially drowsiness. This drug may also cause excitement instead of
drowsiness in older adults.
Children may be more sensitive to the effects of the
drug. This drug can often cause excitement in young children instead of
drowsiness.
During pregnancy, this medication should be used only
when clearly needed. It may harm an unborn baby. Newborn babies of mothers
who use this medication late in pregnancy may have symptoms such as
slow/shallow breathing, nonstop crying, shaking, or trouble feeding.
However, since untreated seizures are a serious condition that can harm
both a pregnant woman and her unborn baby, do not stop taking this
medication unless directed by your doctor. If you are planning pregnancy,
become pregnant, or think you may be pregnant, talk to your doctor right
away about the risks and benefits of this medication. Since birth control
pills, patches, implants, and injections may not work if taken with this
medication (see also Drug Interactions section), discuss reliable forms of
birth control with your doctor.
This drug passes into breast milk and may have
undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before
breastfeeding.
See also Warning section.
Drug interactions may change how your medications work
or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not
contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you
use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and
share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the
dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
Some products that may interact with this drug
include:
Other medications can affect the removal of clobazam
from your body, which may affect how clobazam works. Examples include
fluconazole, fluvoxamine, among others.
The risk of serious side effects (such as slow/shallow
breathing, severe drowsiness/dizziness) may be increased if this medication
is taken with other products that may also cause drowsiness or breathing
problems. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking other products
such as opioid pain or cough relievers (such as codeine, hydrocodone),
alcohol, marijuana (cannabis), drugs for sleep or anxiety (such as
alprazolam, lorazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants (such as carisoprodol,
cyclobenzaprine), or antihistamines (such as cetirizine,
diphenhydramine).
Check the labels on all your medicines (such as allergy
or cough-and-cold products) because they may contain ingredients that cause
drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist about using those products
safely.
This medication may decrease the effectiveness of
hormonal birth control such as pills, patch, or ring. This could cause
pregnancy. Discuss with your doctor or pharmacist if you should use
reliable backup birth control methods while using this medication. Also
tell your doctor if you have any new spotting or breakthrough bleeding,
because these may be signs that your birth control is not working
well.
If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such
as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison
control center right away. US residents can call 1-800-222-1222. Canada
residents can call 1-844-764-7669. Symptoms of overdose may include:
confusion, weakness, severe drowsiness/dizziness, slow/shallow breathing,
loss of consciousness, slowed/decreased reflexes.
Do not share this medication with others. Sharing it is
against the law.
Lab and/or medical tests (such as complete blood count,
liver/kidney/thyroid function) may be done while you are taking this
medication. Keep all medical and lab appointments. Consult your doctor for
more details.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If
it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next
dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch
up.
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture.
Do not store in the bathroom. Store the liquid form upright in the original
bottle and discard 90 days after opening. Keep all medications away from
children and pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them
into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when
it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste
disposal company.
Your condition can cause complications in a medical
emergency. For information about enrolling in MedicAlert, call
1-888-633-4298 (US) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).