Chlordiazepoxide
Chlordiazepoxide (klor dye az e POKS ide) is a generic medication prescribed for anxiety in adults and some children, and for symptoms of alcohol withdrawal in adults. Chlordiazepoxide belongs to a group of drugs called benzodiazepines.
Chlordiazepoxide (klor dye az e POKS ide) is a generic medication prescribed for anxiety in adults and some children, and for symptoms of alcohol withdrawal in adults. Chlordiazepoxide belongs to a group of drugs called benzodiazepines.
- Generic
- • Capsule
- • 25mg
- • 30 Capsules
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Intro
Introduction
Written by Ashley Wong, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Alex Brewer, PharmD, MBA
Updated on November 29, 2023
Chlordiazepoxide (klor dye az e POKS ide) is a generic medication prescribed for anxiety in adults and some children, and for symptoms of alcohol withdrawal in adults. Chlordiazepoxide belongs to a group of drugs called benzodiazepines.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved chlordiazepoxide for the following conditions:
- anxiety disorders
- symptoms of alcohol withdrawal
- apprehension and anxiety prior to surgical procedures
Boxed warnings
Chlordiazepoxide has boxed warnings, which are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These include:
- risk of misuse and addiction
- risk of dependence and withdrawal
- risk of serious harm if taken with opioids
For details, see the “Interactions and warnings for chlordiazepoxide” section.
FAQ
Common questions about chlordiazepoxide
Below, you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about chlordiazepoxide.
What brand names are available for chlordiazepoxide?
The brand-name version of chlordiazepoxide is Librium. Librium is no longer marketed in the United States. A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.) Generic drugs are believed to be as effective and safe as brand-name drugs. And generic drugs typically cost less compared to brand-name drugs.
If you have more questions about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
How does chlordiazepoxide work? And how long does it take to start working?
Chlordiazepoxide belongs to a group of drugs called benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines work by boosting the activity of a chemical in your body, which has a calming effect. It also decreases electrical activity in your brain.
Chlordiazepoxide starts to work right after you take your first dose. But it can take several weeks before you feel its full effects.
If you’d like to know more about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Side effects
Side effects of chlordiazepoxide
Chlordiazepoxide may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of chlordiazepoxide and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.
To learn more about chlordiazepoxide’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for chlordiazepoxide listed in the “Resources” section.
Mild side effects
More common mild side effects reported with chlordiazepoxide are listed below.
This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about chlordiazepoxide’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for chlordiazepoxide listed in the “Resources” section.
With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.
Chlordiazepoxide’s mild side effects include:
- drowsiness
- problems with balance or coordination
- confusion
- rash
- mild allergic reaction*
* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for chlordiazepoxide” section.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects of chlordiazepoxide are listed below.
This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about chlordiazepoxide’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for chlordiazepoxide listed in the “Resources” section.
With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.
In general, chlordiazepoxide’s serious side effects include:
- slowed ability to think, focus, and react
- slowed breathing
- blood disorders
- yellow skin (also known as jaundice)
- liver problems
- excitement or sudden rage
- suicidal thoughts or behavior
- boxed warnings:*
- risk of addiction and misuse
- risk of withdrawal and dependence
- risk of serious harm if taken with opioids
- severe allergic reaction*
* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for chlordiazepoxide” section.
Suicide prevention
If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:
- Call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
- Text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741.
- Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
- Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.
If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.
If you’re not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.
Uses
Uses of chlordiazepoxide
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as chlordiazepoxide for certain conditions. Approved uses for chlordiazepoxide are described below.
Use for anxiety
Doctors may prescribe chlordiazepoxide for treating general anxiety and preoperative anxiety. It’s used for this purpose in children ages 6 years and older and adults. It’s usually prescribed as a short-term treatment.
Anxiety can cause a range of symptoms, such as feelings of nervousness or panic. Many people also feel anxious before they undergo surgery. Anxiety keeps your body on high alert and activates your fight-or-flight responses. This results in symptoms such as rapid breathing, fast heartbeat, and nervous stomach. Chlordiazepoxide treats anxiety symptoms by having a calming effect on the body.
Use for alcohol withdrawal
Doctors may prescribe chlordiazepoxide for treating symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. It’s used for this purpose in adults. It’s usually prescribed as a short-term treatment.
Alcohol withdrawal occurs when a heavy drinker suddenly stops or reduces their alcohol intake. This can cause symptoms that range from anxiety and fatigue to hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t real) and seizures. In extreme cases, alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be life threatening. Chlordiazepoxide treats the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal by having a calming effect on the body and slowing down activity in the brain.
Interactions and warnings
Interactions and warnings for chlordiazepoxide
Below, you’ll find information about chlordiazepoxide’s possible interactions and warnings.
Interactions of chlordiazepoxide
Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.
Before you take chlordiazepoxide, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:
- prescription or over-the-counter drugs
- vitamins, herbs, or supplements
To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for chlordiazepoxide” section below.
Warnings for chlordiazepoxide
Some people should not take chlordiazepoxide, and others should take it cautiously.
Boxed warnings
Chlordiazepoxide has boxed warnings about the following risks. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
To learn more about these warnings, read below. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Risk of misuse and addiction. Chlordiazepoxide has a risk of misuse and addiction. (Misuse means a drug is taken in a way other than how it’s prescribed. Addiction means a drug is taken even if it’s causing harm.) Misuse and addiction can cause serious side effects, including severe central nervous system (CNS) depression. (Your CNS is made up of your brain and spinal cord.)
Severe CNS depression can cause serious side effects, such as trouble breathing, overdose, and even death. The risk of CNS depression is higher if you take chlordiazepoxide with other drugs that cause CNS depression, alcohol, or illegal substances.
Due to this risk, chlordiazepoxide is a controlled substance in the United States. A controlled substance is a drug the government regulates due to the risk of dependence or misuse. Controlled substances have restrictions on how they’re prescribed and dispensed at pharmacies. These rules are enforced by the government to help lower the risk of misuse and addiction.
If you have concerns about the risk of addiction and misuse, talk with your doctor.
Risk of dependence and withdrawal. Chlordiazepoxide has a risk of dependence and withdrawal. (Dependence means the body needs the drug in order to function like usual. Withdrawal symptoms can occur when you stop taking a drug your body is dependent on.) This risk increases the longer you take chlordiazepoxide and the higher your dosage is.
Due to this risk, you should not suddenly stop taking chlordiazepoxide. Doing so can cause serious side effects, such as seizures, depression, hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t real), and suicidal thoughts and behavior.
If you want to stop taking chlordiazepoxide, talk with your doctor. They’ll recommend a plan to lower your dose gradually until it is safe for you to stop the drug completely. If you have concerns about the risk of dependence and withdrawal, talk with your doctor.
Risk of serious harm if taken with opioids. Taking chlordiazepoxide with opioids can cause serious side effects. These include extreme sleepiness, slow or shallow breathing, coma, and even death.
Due to this risk, doctors will only prescribe these medications together if it’s the best or only option. If they’re prescribed together, your doctor will prescribe the lowest dose of each medication. And they’ll prescribe the medications for the shortest amount of time needed.
If you’re taking chlordiazepoxide with opioids and have any of the following symptoms, get medical help right away:
- trouble breathing
- slow or shallow breathing
- extreme drowsiness
Other warnings
Chlordiazepoxide could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether chlordiazepoxide is a safe option for you.
Ask your doctor about specific warnings for chlordiazepoxide, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:
- current health, including any allergies to medications
- past health conditions or surgeries
Allergic reaction
Chlordiazepoxide can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.
If you’ve had an allergic reaction to chlordiazepoxide or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe chlordiazepoxide. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.
A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:
A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:
- swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
- swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems
If you have an allergic reaction to chlordiazepoxide, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.
Overdose of chlordiazepoxide
You should not take more chlordiazepoxide than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.
If you think you’ve taken too much chlordiazepoxide, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.
Pregnancy or breastfeeding and chlordiazepoxide
Information about chlordiazepoxide and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.
Chlordiazepoxide and pregnancy
There are risks to taking chlordiazepoxide during pregnancy. If chlordiazepoxide is taken late in pregnancy, it can cause a newborn to have extreme sleepiness, slowed breathing, or other symptoms.
But there are also risks with having untreated anxiety or symptoms of alcohol withdrawal while pregnant. (Keep in mind that chlordiazepoxide is prescribed for treating symptoms of anxiety or alcohol withdrawal.)
If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about anxiety or alcohol withdrawal treatment options during pregnancy. Together, you can discuss the risks and benefits of your treatment options and decide whether or not you should take chlordiazepoxide during pregnancy.
If you’re pregnant and taking chlordiazepoxide, your doctor may talk with you about participating in the National Pregnancy Registry for Psychiatric Medications. Pregnancy registries help monitor the effects of medication use during pregnancy. You can learn more or sign up for the registry by visiting this website or by calling 866-961-2388.
Chlordiazepoxide and breastfeeding
Chlordiazepoxide 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 chlordiazepoxide.
Ask your doctor
What to ask your doctor
Let your doctor know if you have questions about chlordiazepoxide or would like more details about it.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Are there any drug interactions I should be aware of while I’m taking chlordiazepoxide?
- How can I lower my risk of misuse, addiction, and dependence with chlordiazepoxide?
- How long will I need to take chlordiazepoxide?
Resources
Resources
- Ahwazi HH, et al. (2022). Chlordiazepoxide. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547659/
- Chlordiazepoxide hydrochloride capsules, USP CIV. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/3cbd7cee-c4d7-4c95-93d8-09428169b937/spl-doc
- Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
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.
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