Clorazepate Dipotassium
Generic Tranxene T
Clorazepate (klor AZ e pate) is a generic medication prescribed for anxiety, seizures, and symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Clorazepate belongs to a group of drugs called benzodiazepines.
Clorazepate (klor AZ e pate) is a generic medication prescribed for anxiety, seizures, and symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Clorazepate belongs to a group of drugs called benzodiazepines.
- Generic
- • Tablet
- • 7.5mg
- • 60 Tablets
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Intro
Introduction
Written by Lee Holland, PharmD, MPH
Medically reviewed by Dena Westphalen, PharmD
Updated on October 10, 2023
Clorazepate (klor AZ e pate) is a generic medication prescribed for anxiety, seizures, and symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Clorazepate belongs to a group of drugs called benzodiazepines.
Boxed warnings
Clorazepate 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 withdrawal and dependence
For details, see the “Interactions and warnings for clorazepate” section.
FAQ
Common questions about clorazepate
Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about clorazepate.
What brand names are available for clorazepate?
Clorazepate is a generic medication that comes as an oral tablet. The brand-name version of clorazepate is Tranxene.
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 clorazepate, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Is clorazepate a controlled substance?
Yes, clorazepate is a controlled substance, which is a drug that has the potential for misuse. Clorazepate is a Schedule IV substance. Schedule substances are ranked from I to V, with Schedule I substances having a high risk for misuse and Schedule V having a very low risk for misuse.
Clorazepate is Schedule IV, meaning it has a slight risk of misuse.
If you are concerned about clorazepate as a controlled substance, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
Is clorazepate similar to clonazepam?
Yes, clorazepate and clonazepam are similar. They both belong to a group of drugs called benzodiazepines.
Clonazepam is used for anxiety and seizures. Clorazepate is used for anxiety, seizures, and alcohol withdrawal.
To learn more about the similarities and differences of these drugs, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can recommend the treatment option that’s best for your condition.
How does clorazepate work? And how long does it take to start working?
Clorazepate works by increasing the amount of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. It’s a chemical messenger that slows down the brain and encourages relaxation. It starts working quickly after you take it, usually within 30 minutes.
If you’d like to know more about how clorazepate works, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Side effects
Side effects of clorazepate
Clorazepate may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of clorazepate 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 clorazepate’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for clorazepate listed in the “Resources” section.
Mild side effects
More common mild side effects reported with some forms of clorazepate are listed below. These side effects may differ based on the form of clorazepate you take.
This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about clorazepate’s side effects based on the form, refer to the prescribing information for clorazepate 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.
Clorazepate oral tablet’s mild side effects include:
- sleepiness
- dizziness
- dry mouth
- headache
- mild allergic reaction*
* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for clorazepate” section.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects of clorazepate are listed below.
This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about clorazepate’s side effects based on the form, refer to the prescribing information for clorazepate 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, clorazepate’s serious side effects include:
- increased suicidal thoughts and actions
- boxed warnings: risk of serious harm if taken with opioids*
- boxed warning: misuse and addiction*
- boxed warning: withdrawal and dependence*
- severe allergic reaction*
* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for clorazepate” 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 are not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.
Uses
Uses of clorazepate
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as clorazepate for certain conditions. Approved uses for clorazepate are described below.
Use for anxiety
Doctors may prescribe clorazepate tablet for treating anxiety. It’s used for this purpose in people 9 years of age or older. It can be prescribed as a long-term or short-term treatment.
With anxiety, you may feel overwhelmed with worry or anxious. You may start shaking, have sweaty palms, and feel your heart racing. Anxiety can also cause you to feel tired and have problems concentrating.
Most people experience some anxiety during their lives. But treatment for anxiety is only needed if it disrupts your life and is long lasting.
Use for seizures
Doctors may prescribe clorazepate tablet for helping prevent focal seizures. It’s used for this purpose in people 9 years of age and older. It’s usually prescribed as a long-term treatment.
With focal seizures, brain cells have too much electrical activity in one part of the brain. Clorazepate works by lowering this electrical activity in certain brain cells to reduce seizures.
Clorazepate is prescribed together with other drugs for focal seizures.
Use for symptom relief of alcohol withdrawal syndrome
Doctors may prescribe clorazepate tablet for treating symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome. It’s used for this purpose in people 9 years of age and older. It’s usually prescribed as a short-term treatment.
Alcohol withdrawal syndrome is caused when you have been drinking heavily for a long time and then stop suddenly. Mild symptoms can include headache, sweating, and anxiety. Severe symptoms include hallucinations, fever, and seizures.
Clorazepate is prescribed together with vitamin supplements for alcohol withdrawal syndrome.
Interactions and warnings
Interactions and warnings for clorazepate
Below you’ll find information about clorazepate’s possible interactions and warnings.
Interactions of clorazepate
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 clorazepate, 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 clorazepate” section below.
Warnings for clorazepate
Clorazepate should not be taken by certain people.
Boxed warnings
Clorazepate 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 clorazepate 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 clorazepate.
If you have concerns about this risk, tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend taking a lower dose of clorazepate or a lower dose of opioids. They may also recommend avoiding treatment with an opioid while you’re taking clorazepate.
Risk of misuse and addiction. Clorazepate 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 when doing so causes harm. Misuse and addiction were rarely reported in studies* of clorazepate.
Symptoms of misuse may include abdominal pain, memory loss, dizziness, and anxiety. In severe cases, misuse can lead to suicidal thoughts and actions, difficulty 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 clorazepate. If you drink, they may also advise avoiding alcohol during treatment.
Risk of dependence and withdrawal. Taking clorazepate 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 clorazepate.
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 lowering your dose of clorazepate slowly rather than stopping the drug suddenly. This can help lower your risk of having withdrawal symptoms.
Other warnings
Clorazepate could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether clorazepate is a safe option for you. These warnings may differ based on the form of clorazepate you take.
Ask your doctor about specific warnings for clorazepate, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:
- current health, including any allergies to medications
- past health conditions or surgeries
Allergic reaction
Clorazepate can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.
If you’ve had an allergic reaction to clorazepate or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe clorazepate. 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 clorazepate, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.
Overdose of clorazepate
If you take clorazepate by mouth, you should not take more clorazepate than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.
If you think you’ve taken too much clorazepate, 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 clorazepate
Information about clorazepate and pregnancy and breastfeeding are described below.
Clorazepate and pregnancy
There are risks to taking clorazepate during pregnancy. But there are also risks with having untreated anxiety, seizures, or symptoms of alcohol withdrawal while pregnant. (Keep in mind that clorazepate is used for anxiety, seizures, or symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.)
If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about anxiety, seizure, 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 clorazepate during pregnancy.
Clorazepate and breastfeeding
Clorazepate 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 clorazepate.
Ask your doctor
What to ask your doctor
Let your doctor know if you have questions about clorazepate 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 clorazepate suddenly?
- Do I need to take vitamin supplements with clorazepate?
- What options are there if I can’t afford my medication?
Resources
Resources
- Clorazepate dipotassium — clorazepate dipotassium tablet. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/a4b80e69-b7c7-471a-8ce8-4e992808c669/spl-doc
- Diversion Control Division. (2023). https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/schedules/
- 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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