Clorazepate is a benzodiazepine (ben-zoe-dye-AZE-eh-peen) that is used to treat anxiety disorders, partial seizures, or alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

Clorazepate may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Clorazepate can slow or stop your breathing, especially if you have recently used an opioid medication or alcohol.

MISUSE OF clorazepate CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH. Keep this medicine where others cannot get to it.

Do not stop using clorazepate without asking your doctor. You may have life-threatening withdrawal symptoms if you stop using the medicine suddenly after long-term use. Some withdrawal symptoms may last up to 12 months or longer.

Get medical help right away if you stop using clorazepate and have symptoms such as: unusual muscle movements, being more active or talkative, sudden and severe changes in mood or behavior, confusion, hallucinations, seizures, or thoughts about suicide.

Some people have thoughts about suicide while taking clorazepate. Tell your doctor right away if you have any sudden changes in mood or behavior, or thoughts about suicide.

Clorazepate comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken one to three times a day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take clorazepate exactly as directed.

If you are taking clorazepate to treat anxiety or seizures, your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of clorazepate and gradually increase your dose. If you are taking clorazepate to treat alcohol withdrawal, your doctor will probably start you on a high dose of clorazepate and gradually decrease your dose as your symptoms are controlled.

Clorazepate may help to control seizures and anxiety, but it will not cure these conditions. Continue to take clorazepate even if you feel well.

Follow the directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Never use clorazepate in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed. Tell your doctor if you feel an increased urge to use more of clorazepate.

Never share this medicine with another person, especially someone with a history of drug addiction. MISUSE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH. Keep the medicine where others cannot get to it. Selling or giving away this medicine is against the law.

If you use clorazepate long-term, you may need frequent medical tests.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse.

Do not stop using clorazepate without asking your doctor. You may have life-threatening withdrawal symptoms if you stop using the medicine suddenly after long-term use.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Keep your medicine in a place where no one can use it improperly.

You should not use clorazepate if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

• narrow-angle glaucoma.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• liver or kidney disease;

• mood problems, depression, psychosis; or

• suicidal thoughts or actions.

Some people have thoughts about suicide while taking clorazepate. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Your family or caregivers should also watch for sudden changes in your behavior.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Clorazepate may harm an unborn baby. Avoid taking this medicine during the first trimester of pregnancy.

If you use clorazepate during pregnancy, your baby could be born with life-threatening withdrawal symptoms, and may need medical treatment for several weeks.

If you take clorazepate for seizures, do not start or stop taking it during pregnancy without your doctor's advice. Having a seizure during pregnancy could harm both mother and baby.

Do not breastfeed.

Not approved for use by anyone younger than 9 years old.

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of clorazepate can be fatal if you take it with alcohol, opioid medicine, or other drugs that cause drowsiness or slow your breathing.

Overdose symptoms may include extreme drowsiness or coma.

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

Do not drink alcohol. Dangerous side effects could occur.

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how clorazepate will affect you. Dizziness or drowsiness can cause falls, accidents, or severe injuries.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Clorazepate can slow or stop your breathing, especially if you have recently used an opioid medication or alcohol. A person caring for you should seek emergency medical attention if you have slow breathing with long pauses, blue colored lips, or if you are hard to wake up.

Tell your doctor right away if you have new or sudden changes in mood or behavior, including new or worse depression or anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, more active or talkative, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Clorazepate may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• severe drowsiness;

• slow breathing (breathing may stop);

• confusion, paranoia, unusual thoughts or behavior;

• a seizure; or

• suicidal thoughts or actions.

Drowsiness or dizziness may last longer in older adults. Use caution to avoid falling or accidental injury.

Common side effects of clorazepate may include:

• dizziness, drowsiness;

• blurred vision;

• upset stomach; or

• dry mouth.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Taking clorazepate with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing can cause dangerous side effects or death. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.

Other drugs may affect clorazepate, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your body's response to clorazepate.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Clorazepate is a controlled substance. Prescriptions may be refilled only a limited number of times; ask your pharmacist if you have any questions.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.