Treating anxiety disorders and withdrawal symptoms due to alcoholism. It is also used to reduce fear and anxiety before undergoing surgery. It may be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Chlordiazepoxide is a benzodiazepine. It works by slowing down the movement of chemicals in the brain. This results in a reduction in nervous tension (anxiety) and muscle spasm, and also causes sedation.
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Tell your health care provider if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Chlordiazepoxide . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any of the following medicines.
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Chlordiazepoxide may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
Use Chlordiazepoxide as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Chlordiazepoxide .
When used for long periods of time or at high doses, Chlordiazepoxide may not work as well and may require higher doses to obtain the same effect as when originally taken. This is known as TOLERANCE. Talk with your doctor if Chlordiazepoxide stops working well. Do not take more than prescribed.
Chlordiazepoxide may be habit-forming and lead to DEPENDENCE if used in high doses or for a long period of time. If you are on long-term or high-dosage therapy, you may have WITHDRAWAL symptoms (eg, convulsions, tremor, stomach and muscle cramps, vomiting, sweating) if you suddenly stop taking Chlordiazepoxide . Do not stop therapy abruptly or change dosage without asking your pharmacist or doctor. Discuss overuse with your doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Clumsiness; confusion; dizziness; excessive daytime drowsiness; headache; lack of coordination; lightheadedness; unsteadiness; unusual weakness.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); yellowing of the skin or eyes.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include confusion; clumsiness; deep sleep; drowsiness; loss of consciousness; slow reflexes.
Proper storage of Chlordiazepoxide :Store Chlordiazepoxide at room temperature between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Chlordiazepoxide out of the reach of children and away from pets.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Chlordiazepoxide . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.