When your doctor prescribes you a medication called Chlordiazepoxide, you may have a number of questions. "What is this medication?", "What does it actually do?", "Should I be afraid to use it?" You may be wondering. Don't worry, it's very normal. Today, we'll talk about this medication in a simple, clear way.
What exactly is Chlordiazepoxide?
Simply put, Chlordiazepoxide is a medication that calms your nervous system and reduces anxiety. It is sometimes given to calm you down before a procedure.
In addition, there is another special case in which this medicine is used. That is, it is also used to control alcohol withdrawal symptoms that occur after drinking too much alcohol and stopping it suddenly. This belongs to the group of drugs called benzodiazepines . The main function of these is to control brain activity to some extent and calm the body and mind.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking medicine
Before starting this medication, it is extremely important to give your doctor a complete picture of your health condition. This information will determine whether this medication is right for you or not, and what dosage to give.
If you have any of the following, be sure to tell your doctor about it:
- Kidney disease: If you have any weakness in your kidneys.
- Liver disease: If you have problems with liver function.
- Substance use disorder: If you or someone in your family has had a history of drug or alcohol addiction.
- Suicidal thoughts: If you or a family member has experienced depression or suicidal thoughts.
- Allergies: Tell your doctor if you are allergic to Chlordiazepoxide or any other benzodiazepine (e.g., Diazepam, Alprazolam). Also, tell your doctor if you have any allergies to other foods or medications.
- Pregnancy or trying to get pregnant: This is very important if you are pregnant, or are expecting a baby soon.
- Breastfeeding: If you are a breastfeeding mother, you should also tell the doctor.
How exactly do I use this medicine?
It is very important to follow the instructions exactly when using this medicine.
1. How to take: Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Take it exactly as prescribed by your doctor, at the prescribed time.
2. Dosage: Do not drink more than the prescribed amount or drink it too often.
3. Stopping: The most important thing is not to stop taking this medicine suddenly without your doctor's advice. Doing so can cause severe reactions. If you need to stop taking the medicine, your doctor will explain how to do it.
4. For children: Although this is prescribed for children over 6 years of age in some special cases, special care should be taken. Therefore, if you are giving it to a child, talk to your doctor about it carefully.
What if I overdose?
If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, do not delay. Immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital, or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital. Treat this as an emergency.
This medicine is just for you!
This medicine is prescribed for your condition only. Do not share this medicine with a friend, even if they have the same symptoms as you.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Do not take a double dose for any reason.
Other things that may interact with this medicine
Chlordiazepoxide may interact with some other medications you are taking, so tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking (including vitamins and herbal remedies).
| Interactions with Chlordiazepoxide | |
|---|---|
| Do not take with these at all: | |
| Sodium oxybate | May cause severe drowsiness and breathing difficulties. |
| Be very careful when taking these with: | |
| Alcohol | Excessive drowsiness, dizziness, and dangerous effects may occur. Stop completely. |
| Opioids for pain or cough | There is a high risk of severe respiratory distress. |
| Other benzodiazepines (e.g. Diazepam) | Unnecessarily increases the effect of the medicine. |
| Some allergy medications (Antihistamines) | Increases drowsiness. |
| Sleeping pills | Causes excessive drowsiness and confusion. |
| Blood thinners such as Warfarin | It can affect the effectiveness of those medications. |
Things to be careful about when taking medicine
- Driving and operating machinery: This medicine may affect your balance, reaction time, and decision-making ability . Therefore, avoid driving or operating heavy machinery until you know exactly how this medicine affects you.
- Dependency: With continued use of this medication, your body and brain can become dependent on it. This can happen even if you take it exactly as your doctor tells you. So you and your doctor will decide together how long you need to take this medication and when to stop.
- Behavioral changes: If you or your family members notice any changes in your behavior, such as increasing depression, thoughts of harming yourself , unusual agitation, anger, or memory loss, call your doctor immediately.
- Pregnancy: If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant while taking this medicine, tell your doctor right away. This medicine can cause serious birth defects in an unborn baby.
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medicine, Chlordiazepoxide can cause some side effects. Some are serious, while others are common.
| Side effects that require immediate medical attention | |
|---|---|
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Central nervous system depression (CNS depression) | Slow or shallow breathing, difficulty breathing, extreme dizziness, confusion, and sleepiness that cannot be awakened. |
| Mental changes | Suicidal thoughts, increased depression, agitation. |
| Usually not serious (but tell your doctor if it persists) | |
| Confusion | Dizziness |
| Drowsiness | Loss of balance |
How to store medicine safely?
This is a drug that can be addictive and dangerous if used incorrectly, so be especially careful about storing it.
- Keep away from children and pets.
- Keep this medicine locked in a safe place to protect it from thieves . Do not leave it where others in the house can easily access it.
- Do not use expired medicine.
- If you are disposing of leftover, unused medication, mix it with something like cat litter or ground coffee grounds, put it in a tightly sealed container, and discard it.
Take-Home Message
- Always take this medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor, and only in the prescribed amount.
- Never stop taking medication suddenly without your doctor's advice.
- Avoid drinking alcohol completely while taking the medication. Avoid driving as it may cause excessive drowsiness.
- Seek immediate medical attention if you experience difficulty breathing, excessive sleepiness, severe changes in behavior, or suicidal thoughts.
- This medicine is prescribed for you only. Do not share it with others. Keep it in a safe place out of the reach of children.
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