Clobazam
Generic Sympazan, Onfi
Clobazam (KLOE ba zam) is a generic medication prescribed for seizures in people with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, which is a type of epilepsy. Clobazam belongs to a group of drugs called benzodiazepines.
Clobazam (KLOE ba zam) is a generic medication prescribed for seizures in people with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, which is a type of epilepsy. Clobazam belongs to a group of drugs called benzodiazepines.
- Generic
- • Tablet
- • 10mg
- • 60 Tablets
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Intro
Introduction
Written by Lee Holland, PharmD, MPH
Medically reviewed by Rosanna Sutherby, PharmD
Updated on September 7, 2023
Clobazam (KLOE ba zam) is a generic medication prescribed for seizures in people with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, which is a type of epilepsy. Clobazam belongs to a group of drugs called benzodiazepines.
Boxed warnings
Clobazam has boxed warnings, which are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These include:
- risk of serious harm if taken with opioids
- risk of misuse and addiction
- risk of dependence and withdrawal
For details, see the “Interactions and warnings for clobazam” section.
Side effects
Side effects of clobazam
Clobazam may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of clobazam 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 clobazam’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for clobazam listed in the “Resources” section.
Mild side effects
More common mild side effects reported with some forms of clobazam are listed below.
This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about clobazam’s side effects based on the form, refer to the prescribing information for clobazam 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.
Clobazam oral tablet’s and oral suspension’s* mild side effects include:
- sleepiness
- lack of energy
- constipation
- drooling
- mild allergic reaction†
* An oral suspension is a type of liquid mixture that’s taken by mouth.
† For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for clobazam” section.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects of clobazam are listed below.
This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about clobazam’s side effects based on the form, refer to the prescribing information for clobazam 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, clobazam’s serious side effects include:
- serious skin reactions called Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis, which may be life threatening
- suicidal thoughts or actions
- boxed warnings:*
- risk of serious harm if taken with opioids
- risk of misuse and addiction
- risk of dependence and withdrawal
- severe allergic reaction*
* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for clobazam” 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 Textline 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.
FAQ
Common questions about clobazam
Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about clobazam.
What brand names are available for clobazam?
Clobazam is a generic medication that comes as an oral tablet and an oral suspension.* The brand-name versions of clobazam are Onfi and Sympazan. Onfi is an oral suspension and an oral tablet. Sympazan is a film that dissolves in your mouth.
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’d like to know more about generic and brand-name versions of clobazam, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
* An oral suspension is a type of liquid mixture that’s taken by mouth.
Is clobazam similar to clonazepam?
Yes, clobazam and clonazepam are similar. They both belong to a group of drugs called benzodiazepines.
Clonazepam is prescribed for panic disorder and seizures. But clobazam is only approved to treat seizures in people with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, which is a type of epilepsy.
To learn more about the similarities and differences of these drugs, talk with your doctor. They can recommend the treatment option that’s best for your condition.
Can clobazam be used for anxiety?
Clobazam is only approved to treat seizures in people with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. That said, doctors may prescribe the drug off-label to treat anxiety. With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.
If you have questions about treatment options for anxiety, talk with your doctor.
How does clobazam work? And how long does it take to start working?
Clobazam is used to treat seizures in certain people. Seizures are caused when brain cells have too much electrical activity. Clobazam works by lowering the electrical activity of certain brain cells that cause seizures.
The drug can start working as soon as 30 minutes after it’s taken.
If you’d like to know more about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Uses
Uses of clobazam
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as clobazam for certain conditions. Approved uses for clobazam are described below.
Use for seizures
Doctors may prescribe clobazam oral tablet or oral suspension* to treat seizures in people with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. This condition is a type of epilepsy. Clobazam is used for this purpose in adults and children ages 2 years and older. It’s usually prescribed as a long-term treatment.
Lennox-Gastaut syndrome is a severe condition that causes frequent seizures. People with it usually start having seizures between the ages of 3 and 5 years. Seizures are caused by uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain.
With Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, several types of seizures are possible, including:
- tonic seizures, which cause uncontrolled muscle contractions
- atonic seizures, also called drop seizures, which cause muscles to suddenly go limp
- absence seizures, which cause a brief loss of consciousness
Both tonic and atonic seizures can lead to falls, which can cause serious injuries or death. Repeated seizures in children can affect their ability to learn and develop physical skills, such as walking or crawling.
Clobazam is prescribed together with other drugs to treat seizures in people with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
* An oral suspension is a type of liquid mixture that’s taken by mouth.
Interactions and warnings
Interactions and warnings for clobazam
Below, you’ll find information about clobazam’s possible interactions and warnings.
Interactions of clobazam
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 clobazam, 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 clobazam” section below.
Warnings for clobazam
Some people should not take clobazam, and others should take it cautiously.
Boxed warnings
Clobazam has boxed warnings about certain 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 serious harm if taken with opioids. If clobazam is taken with opioids, it can cause extreme sleepiness, lack of energy, and trouble breathing. In rare cases, this can lead to coma or even death. This side effect was commonly reported in studies* of clobazam.
If you have concerns about this risk, tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend taking a lower dose of clobazam or lower dose of opioids. They may also recommend avoiding treatment with an opioid while you’re taking clobazam.
To learn more, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
* For study details, refer to the prescribing information for clobazam listed in the “Resources” section.
Risk of misuse and addiction. Clobazam has a risk of misuse and addiction. With misuse, a drug is taken in a way other than how it’s prescribed. With addiction, a drug is taken even if doing so is causing harm. Misuse and addiction were rarely reported in studies* of clobazam.
Symptoms of misuse may include abdominal pain, memory loss, dizziness, and anxiety. In severe cases, misuse can lead to suicidal thoughts and actions, problems breathing, addiction, and even death.
If you have concerns about these risks, tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend that you follow their instructions on how to take clobazam. They’ll also likely advise avoiding alcohol and illegal drugs during treatment.
* For study details, refer to the prescribing information for clobazam listed in the “Resources” section.
Risk of dependence and withdrawal. Taking clobazam for a long time may cause dependence. With dependence, your body needs a drug in order to function like usual. This can lead to withdrawal symptoms if the drug is stopped. This side effect was rarely reported in studies* of clobazam.
Symptoms of withdrawal may include nausea and vomiting, anxiety, depression, and seizures.
If you’re concerned about dependence and withdrawal, tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend slowly lowering your dose of clobazam rather than stopping the drug suddenly. This can help lower your risk of having withdrawal symptoms.
* For study details, refer to the prescribing information for clobazam listed in the “Resources” section.
Other warnings
Clobazam could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether clobazam is a safe option for you. These warnings may differ based on the form of clobazam you take.
Ask your doctor about specific warnings for clobazam, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:
- current health, including any allergies to medications
- past health conditions or surgeries
Allergic reaction
Clobazam can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.
If you’ve had an allergic reaction to clobazam or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe clobazam. 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 clobazam, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.
Overdose of clobazam
You should not take more clobazam than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.
If you think you’ve taken too much clobazam, 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 clobazam
Information about clobazam and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.
Clobazam and pregnancy
There are risks to taking clobazam during pregnancy. But there are also risks with having unmanaged seizures while pregnant. (Keep in mind that clobazam is used for managing seizures in certain people.)
If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about seizure treatment options during pregnancy. Together, you can discuss the risks and benefits of your treatment options and decide whether or not you should take clobazam during pregnancy.
Clobazam and breastfeeding
There are risks to taking clobazam while breastfeeding. But there are also risks with having unmanaged seizures during this time. (Keep in mind that clobazam is used for managing seizures in certain people.)
For instance, clobazam may cause feeding problems and issues with weight gain in a breastfed child.
If you’re planning to breastfeed, talk with your doctor about seizure treatment options. Together, you can discuss the risks and benefits of your treatment options and decide whether or not you should take clobazam during this time. Your doctor may recommend other healthy ways to feed your child.
Ask your doctor
What to ask your doctor
Let your doctor know if you have questions about clobazam or would like more details about it.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- What will happen if I stop taking clobazam suddenly?
- Are there other drugs I should avoid while taking clobazam?
- How should I take clobazam?
Resources
Resources
- Clobazam- clobazam suspension. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/07e0ae51-cc71-427f-83cb-311b7fcc5993/spl-doc
- Clobazam- clobazam tablet. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/a77ffbdd-4e3e-4ec4-b0fa-b51ee610df0f/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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