This article describes possible side effects of clobazam oral tablet. You can explore this overview article to learn more about clobazam, including the drug’s uses, side effects, ways to save on cost, and more.
Clobazam oral tablet is a generic version of the brand-name drug Onfi. Clobazam also comes in a film and suspension that you swallow, but these forms aren’t described in this article. To learn more about these forms, talk with your doctor.
Boxed warnings
Clobazam oral tablet has boxed warnings about the following risks. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
For details about the risk of serious harm if taken with opioids, see the “Side effects of clobazam in detail” section below. For more information about the other risks, see the “Withdrawal, dependence, misuse, and clobazam” section below.
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More common side effects of clobazam
Clobazam oral tablet may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.
Commonly reported side effects of clobazam oral tablet include:
- constipation
- sleepiness
- fever
- lethargy
- drooling
Mild side effects of clobazam
Clobazam may cause certain mild side effects. Usually, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.
Mild side effects of clobazam oral tablet that occurred in studies include:
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of clobazam in detail” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible with clobazam oral tablet. But it’s unclear whether it occurred in the drug’s studies.
Clobazam oral tablet may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.
Serious side effects of clobazam
Clobazam may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from clobazam oral tablet, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with clobazam.
Serious side effects of clobazam oral tablet that occurred in studies include:
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of clobazam in detail” section below.
† This side effect wasn’t reported in studies of the drug. But it has occurred in people after the drug was approved for use.
‡ Clobazam oral tablet has a boxed warning for this side effect. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. To learn more, see the “Side effects of clobazam in detail” section below.
§ Clobazam oral tablet has a boxed warning for this side effect. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. To learn more, see the “Withdrawal, dependence, misuse and clobazam” section below.
¶ An allergic reaction is possible with clobazam oral tablet. But it’s unclear whether it occurred in the drug’s studies.
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Common questions about side effects of clobazam
Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of clobazam oral tablet. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Does clobazam cause long-term side effects?
Yes, in some cases clobazam oral tablet may cause long-term side effects. These can last for a while after you’ve stopped taking the drug.
Examples of long-term side effects reported with clobazam oral tablet include:
Talk with your doctor to learn more about these side effects and how to manage them. Ask your doctor for more information about how long these side effects of clobazam may last.
Is clobazam safe for older adults?
Maybe. But older adults (typically people who are ages 65 years and older), may clear clobazam from their bodies more slowly than younger adults. This means clobazam can reach higher levels in their bodies, which can increase the risk of side effects.
Due to this risk, the drugmaker recommends that older adults start with a lower dosage of clobazam.
If you have concerns about clobazam, given your age, talk with your doctor.
Can clobazam be used for anxiety? If so, are the side effects similar to when it’s used for seizures?
Maybe. But clobazam is approved to treat seizures only in people with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
In some cases, doctors may prescribe clobazam off-label for anxiety. With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.
Clobazam has not been studied in people with anxiety. So the specific side effects of clobazam when taken for this condition are not known. But it’s possible that they will be similar to those seen when the drug is taken for seizures.
If you have questions about treatment options for anxiety, talk with your doctor.
Withdrawal, dependence, misuse, and clobazam
Clobazam has a boxed warning about certain risks. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA.
Risk of misuse and addiction: Taking clobazam can lead to misuse and addiction. Misuse is taking a drug in a way other than how a doctor prescribes it. With addiction, a drug is taken even if it’s causing harmful outcomes.
The risk of misuse and addiction is higher if you take dosages that are higher than recommended, take other medications that cause sleepiness or dizziness, drink alcohol, or use illegal substances. This can lead to serious side effects, including respiratory depression or overdose. It can also lead to death.
If you have concerns about these risks, talk with your doctor.
Risk of dependence and withdrawal: Taking clobazam can cause drug dependence. With dependence, your body needs the drug to function as usual. This can lead to withdrawal symptoms, which are side effects that can occur when you stop taking a drug that your body has become dependent on.
This risk is higher if you take higher dosages of clobazam or if you’ve taken it for a long time.
Due to this risk, you should not stop taking clobazam without talking with your doctor first. Suddenly stopping the drug or lowering the dosage too quickly can cause serious and life threatening withdrawal symptoms. These may include:
To lower these risks, doctors will typically come up with a plan to lower your clobazam dosage gradually over time until it’s safe for you to stop the drug completely.
Side effects of clobazam in detail
Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of clobazam oral tablet.
Risk of serious harm if taken with opioids
Clobazam has a boxed warning about the risk of serious harm if taken with opioids. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA.
In studies, serious side effects were seen in people taking clobazam with opioid drugs. These side effects may be serious and life threatening. These may include extreme sleepiness, respiratory depression, and coma. They may even lead to death.
Symptoms can include:
- daytime sleepiness
- slow or shallow breathing
- shortness of breath
- bluish-colored lips, fingers, or toes
- seizures
- confusion
- headaches
Ways to manage
Due to this risk, doctors typically won’t prescribe clobazam if you take opioids unless it’s the best or only treatment option. If they are prescribed together, doctors will prescribe the lowest dosage needed for the shortest amount of time.
If you are taking clobazam with opioids and you or your loved ones recognize serious symptoms of harm — such as seizures; bluish-colored lips, fingers, or toes; or breathing problems — get emergency medical help right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care. For more mild symptoms, such as headache or confusion, contact your doctor right away.
Serious skin reactions
In rare cases, clobazam can cause serious skin reactions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis. But it’s important to note that serious skin reactions weren’t seen during studies of clobazam. There have been reports of this side effect in people taking clobazam, but it’s unclear how often this has happened or if clobazam was the cause.
Most cases of serious skin reactions occurred during the first 8 weeks of clobazam treatment or if the drug was restarted at some point.
Symptoms of serious skin reactions may include:
- rash
- fever
- body aches
- sore throat
- cough
- runny nose
- red, pink, purple, or discolored patches of skin
- skin peeling or blistering
- raw or painful skin
- pink or discolored spots that are darker in the middle
Ways to manage
If you experience symptoms of serious skin reactions, tell your doctor right away. They’ll likely recommend stopping clobazam. They can also discuss treatment for your symptoms and alternative drugs for your condition.
For some people, clobazam oral tablet can cause an allergic reaction. But it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in the drug’s studies.
Symptoms can be mild or serious, and they may include:
- itchiness
- skin rash
- swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
- flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
Ways to manage
For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.
For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to clobazam oral tablet, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.
Warnings for clobazam
Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking clobazam oral tablet.
Boxed warnings
This drug has boxed warnings about the following. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA.
For details about the risk of serious harm if taken with opioids, see the “Side effects of clobazam in detail” section above. For more information about the other risks, see the “Withdrawal, dependence, misuse, and clobazam” section above.
Other warnings
It may not be safe for you to take clobazam oral tablet if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether clobazam oral tablet is a safe treatment option for you.
Before taking clobazam oral tablet, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include:
- your alcohol use
- history of liver or kidney problems
- history of lung problems
- history of mental health conditions
- if you’re currently pregnant or breastfeeding
- if you use birth control medications
- past allergic reaction to clobazam
Clobazam and pregnancy
Clobazam oral tablet should not be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. Your doctor may suggest birth control options to use during treatment with clobazam.
Clobazam and breastfeeding
Clobazam oral tablet should not be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. Your doctor may recommend other ways to feed your child during treatment with clobazam.
Clobazam oral tablet is known to interact with alcohol.
Combining alcohol and clobazam can increase the levels of the drug in your body. This can lead to serious side effects, including extreme sleepiness and slowed breathing. It can also increase the risk of misuse, addiction, coma, overdose, and death.
Due to this risk, it’s recommended to avoid alcohol while taking clobazam.
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to start treatment with clobazam oral tablet.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes common and serious side effects of clobazam oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Am I at a higher risk of addiction given my medical history?
- Is the risk of aggressive behavior and suicidal thoughts highest when I first start treatment?
- How do the side effects of clobazam compare to other drugs prescribed for my condition?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
