This medication is a combination of 2 drugs, clidinium
and chlordiazepoxide. It is used along with other medications to help treat
stomach/intestinal disorders (such as ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome,
bowel infections). Clidinium helps to reduce the symptoms of stomach and
intestinal cramping. It works by slowing the natural movements of the gut
and by relaxing the muscles in the stomach and intestines. Clidinium
belongs to a class of drugs known as anticholinergics/antispasmodics.
Chlordiazepoxide helps to reduce anxiety. It acts on the brain and nerves
to produce a calming effect. It belongs to a class of drugs known as
benzodiazepines.
This section contains uses of this drug that are not
listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be
prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition
that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your
health care professional.
This drug may also be used to relieve the symptoms of
irritable bowel syndrome.
See also Warning section.
Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist
before you start taking clidinium/chlordiazepoxide and each time you get a
refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or
pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth as directed by your
doctor, usually 3 to 4 times a day (30 to 60 minutes before meals and at
bedtime).
If you are taking an antacid, take it after meals and
take this medication before meals.
The dosage is based on your age, medical condition, and
response to treatment. Older adults usually start with a lower dose to
decrease the risk of side effects.
Do not increase your dose or take this drug more often
without your doctor's approval. Your condition will not improve any faster
and the risk of serious side effects may increase.
When this medication is used for a long time, it may not
work as well. Your doctor may need to increase your dose or change your
medication. Talk with your doctor if this medication stops working
well.
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). Take this
medication exactly as prescribed to lower the risk of addiction. Ask your
doctor or pharmacist for more details.
Tell your doctor if your condition lasts or gets
worse.
See also Warning section.
Dizziness, drowsiness, weakness, blurred vision, dry
eyes, dry mouth, nausea, constipation, and abdominal bloating may occur. If
any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist
promptly.
To relieve dry mouth, suck (sugarless) hard candy or ice
chips, chew (sugarless) gum, drink water, or use a saliva substitute. To
relieve dry eyes, consult your pharmacist for artificial tears or other eye
lubricants.
To prevent constipation, eat dietary fiber, drink enough
water, and exercise. You may also need to take a laxative. Ask your
pharmacist which type of laxative is right for you.
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:
- decreased sweating
- dry/hot/flushed skin
- fast/irregular heartbeat
- loss of coordination
- trouble speaking
- fainting
- uncontrollable/unusual muscle movements
- mental/mood changes (such as confusion, agitation, unusual
excitement, depression, strange thoughts)
- difficulty urinating
- decreased sexual ability
- signs of infection (such as sore throat that doesn't go away,
fever)
- signs of liver problems (nausea that doesn't stop, dark
urine, vomiting, stomach/abdominal pain, yellowing eyes/skin, unusual
tiredness)
Get medical help right away if you have any very serious
side effects, including:
- eye pain/swelling/redness
- vision changes (such as seeing rainbows around lights at
night)
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:
- 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 this medication, tell your doctor or
pharmacist if you are allergic to clidinium or chlordiazepoxide; or to
other benzodiazepines (such as diazepam, lorazepam); 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:
- personal or family history of glaucoma (angle-closure
type)
- difficulty urinating (such as due to an enlarged
prostate)
- other stomach/intestinal problems (such as slow gut,
blockage, ulcerative colitis, infection, little/no stomach acid,
ileostomy/colostomy patients with diarrhea)
- overactive thyroid
- heart problems (such as coronary artery disease, angina,
heart failure, fast/irregular heartbeat, heart problems due to severe
bleeding)
- high blood pressure
- heartburn problems (such as acid reflux, hiatal hernia,
esophagus problems)
- a certain nervous system problem (autonomic neuropathy)
- myasthenia gravis
- liver problems
- kidney problems
- breathing/lung problems
- personal or family history of a substance use disorder (such
as overuse of or addiction to drugs/alcohol)
- mental/mood conditions (such as depression, thoughts of
suicide, psychosis, schizophrenia)
- a certain blood disorder (porphyria)
This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy or blur your
vision. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy or drowsy.
Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness or clear
vision until you can do it safely. Avoid alcoholic beverages. Talk to your
doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis).
This medication may make you sweat less, making you more
likely to get heat stroke. Avoid doing things that may cause you to
overheat, such as hard work or exercise in hot weather, or using hot tubs.
When the weather is hot, drink a lot of fluids and dress lightly. If you
overheat, quickly look for a place to cool down and rest. Get medical help
right away if you have a fever that does not go away, mental/mood changes,
headache, or dizziness.
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about
all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription
drugs, and herbal products).
Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects
of this drug, especially drowsiness, confusion, unusual excitement, memory
problems, constipation, urination problems, and unsteadiness. Drowsiness,
confusion, and unsteadiness can increase the risk of
falling.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become
pregnant. You should not become pregnant while using
clidinium/chlordiazepoxide. This medication 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. If you become pregnant, talk to your doctor right away
about the risks and benefits of this medication.
This medication passes into breast milk and may have
undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before
breastfeeding.
See also Warning and How to Use sections.
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:
- potassium tablets/capsules
- sodium oxybate
- drugs that are affected by slowed gut movement (such as
pramlintide)
This medication may affect the absorption of other
products such as certain azole anti-fungal drugs (ketoconazole,
itraconazole), slowly-dissolving forms of digoxin, among others. If you are
taking either ketoconazole or itraconazole, take it at least 2 hours before
this medication.
Other medications can affect the removal of
chlordiazepoxide from your body, which may affect how this drug works.
Examples include cimetidine, disulfiram, among others.
Cigarette smoking decreases blood levels of
chlordiazepoxide. Tell your doctor if you smoke or if you have recently
stopped smoking.
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, diet aids) because they may contain ingredients
that cause drowsiness or a fast heartbeat. Ask your pharmacist about using
those products safely.
This medication may interfere with certain lab tests,
possibly causing false test results. Make sure lab personnel and all your
doctors know you use this drug.
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: severe
drowsiness, hot/dry skin, fever, severe dizziness, severe thirst,
mental/mood changes (such as confusion, unusual excitement), fast/irregular
heartbeat, muscle weakness, inability to move (paralysis), slowed
breathing, fainting, seizures.
Do not share this medication with others.
Management of digestive disorders may include lifestyle
changes such as stress reduction programs, exercise, stopping smoking, and
dietary changes, in addition to medication. Talk to your doctor or
pharmacist about lifestyle changes that might benefit you.
If this medication is used for a long time, lab and/or
medical tests (such as blood counts, liver 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. 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.