When Is It Prescribed?

Tranxene (clorazepate) is a medication that is prescribed to treat:

• Anxiety disorders
  
• Alcohol withdrawal
  
• Certain types of seizures

This medication may also be prescribed for purposes other than what’s listed above.

When Will My Medication Start to Work?

The time it takes to experience the effects of Tranxene (clorazepate) varies from person to person.

Do not stop taking Tranxene (clorazepate) suddenly if you have been taking it for several weeks since this may cause uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. Talk to your prescribing doctor or therapist if you need to stop treatment with this medication.

The habit forming potential of this medication is high. Do not take more that is prescribed for you.

Are There Any Drug Interactions?

Tranxene (clorazepate) is in the FDA pregnancy category D, which means that it is known to harm an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your prescribing doctor or therapist if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

Before taking this medication, tell your prescribing doctor or therapist if you are taking any of the following medications:

• antihistamines such as Dimetane (brompheniramine), Chlor-Trimeton (chlorpheniramine), Optimine (azatadine), Tavist (clemastine), and many others

• narcotics (pain killers) such as Demerol (meperidine), MS Contin (morphine), Darvon (propoxyphene), Lorcet (hydrocodone), Percocet (oxycodone), Duragesic (fentanyl), Fiorinal (codeine)

• other sedatives such as Solfoton (phenobarbital), Amytal (amobarbital), and Seconal (secobarbital)

• phenothiazines such as Thorazine (chlorpromazine), Prolixin (fluphenazine), Serentil (mesoridazine), Trilafon (perphenazine), Compazine (prochlorperazine), Mellaril (thioridazine), and Stelazine (trifluoperazine)

• antidepressants such as Elavil (amitriptyline), Sinequan (doxepin), Tofranil (imipramine), Pamelor (nortriptyline), Prozac (fluoxetine), Paxil (paroxetine), Zoloft (sertraline), Nardil (phenelzine), Parnate (tranylcypromine)

The effects of blood pressure medications may be increased, and very low blood pressure may result when taking Tranxene (clorazepate). Be alert for signs of low blood pressure (weakness, dizziness, fatigue), and talk to your doctor or therapist about your medication.

Seizure medications may not be as effective when you are taking Tranxene (clorazepate). Tell your prescribing doctor or therapist if you have a seizure disorder.

Other Important Information and Precautions

Before taking this medication, tell your prescribing doctor or therapist if you have:

• kidney disease

• liver disease

• asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, or another respiratory disease

• symptoms of depression or suicidal thoughts

You may not be able to take this medication, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of these conditions listed above.

Do not take Tranxene (clorazepate) if you have narrow-angle glaucoma since this medication could worsen this condition.

Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may significantly increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking Tranxene (clorazepate).

Use extra caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities, since Tranxene (clorazepate) will cause drowsiness and may also cause dizziness.

If you are over 60 years of age, you may be more likely to experience side-effects from Tranxene (clorazepate), and may require a lower dose of this medication.

This medication is not approved for use in children younger than nine years of age.

In addition to the information listed above, there may be other important issues or precautions related to this medication. For further information, you can ask your prescribing doctor or therapist.

Side Effect Information

Only some people will experience side-effects--and no one experiences them in exactly the same way. If you should experience any side-effects, contact your prescribing doctor or therapist right away. The following list may not contain all of the side-effects associated with this medication:

Side-effects and risks other than those listed above may also occur. Talk to your prescribing doctor or therapist about any potential or existing side-effects that you’re concerned about.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by 4therapy.com is accurate and up-to-date, but no guarantee is made to that effect.

4therapy.com’s medication information is a reference resource designed as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge, and judgment of healthcare practitioners in patient care. 4therapy.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information 4therapy.com provides.