BENZODIAZEPINES

Brand & Generic Names

ALPRAZOLAM	LORAZEPAM
Alzapam	Lorazepam Intensol
Apo-Alpraz	Medilium
Apo-Chlorax	Meval
Apo-Chlordiazepoxide	MIDAZOLAM
Apo-Clorazepate	Mogadon
Apo-Diazepam	NITRAZEPAM
Apo-Flurazepam	Novo-Alprazol
Apo-Lorazepam	Novoclopate
Apo-Oxazepam	Novodipam
Ativan	Novoflupam
BROMAZEPAM	Novolorazem
Centrax	Novopoxide
CHLORDIAZEPOXIDE	Novoxapam
Clindex	Nu-Alpraz
Clinoxide	Nu-Loraz
Clipoxide	OXAZEPAM
CLONAZEPAM	Paxipam
CLORAZEPATE	PMS Diazepam
Corium	PRAZEPAM
Dalmane	ProSom
Diazemuls	QUAZEPAM
DIAZEPAM	Razepam
Diazepam Intensol	Restoril
Doral	Rivotril
Durapam	Serax
ESTAZOLAM	Solium
FLURAZEPAM	Somnol
Gen-Xene	TEMAZEPAM
HALAZEPAM	T-Quil
KETAZOLAM	Tranxene
Klonopin	Tranxene-SD
Lectopam	Tranxene T-Tab
Librax	Valium
Libritabs	Valrelease
Librium	Vasepam
Lidox	Vivol
Limbitrol	Xanax
Limbitrol DS	Zapex
Lipoxide	Zebrax
Lodoxide	Zetran
Loftran

Basic Information

• Habit forming? Yes
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? Yes, for most.
• Drug class: Tranquilizer (benzodiazepine)

Uses

• Treatment for nervousness or tension.
• Treatment for muscle spasm.
• Treatment for convulsive disorders.
• Treatment for insomnia.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Tablet, extended-release capsule or liquid--Swallow with liquid.
Sublingual tablet--Do not chew or swallow. Place under tongue until dissolved.

When to take:
At the same time each day, according to instructions on prescription label.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).

What drug does:
Affects limbic system of brain, the part that controls emotions.

Time lapse before drug works:
2 hours. May take 6 weeks for full benefit.

Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Drowsiness, weakness, tremor, stupor, coma.

WHAT TO DO:

• Dial 911 (emergency) or O (operator) for an ambulance or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
• If patient is unconscious and not breathing, give mouth-to- mouth breathing. If there is no heartbeat, use cardiac massage and mouth-to-mouth breathing (CPR). Don't try to make patient vomit. If you can't get help quickly, take patient to nearest emergency facility.
• See EMERGENCY Information.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

In case of overdose, see Overdose section.

Common:

Clumsiness, drowsiness, dizziness.

Infrequent:

• Hallucinations, confusion, depression, irritability, rash, itch, vision changes, sore throat, fever, chills, dry mouth.
• Constipation or diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, difficult urination, vivid dreams, behavior changes, abdominal pain, headache.

Rare:

• Slow heartbeat, breathing difficulty.
• Mouth, throat ulcers; jaundice.
• Decreased sex drive.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:

• You are allergic to any benzodiazepine.
• You have myasthenia gravis.
• You are active or recovering alcoholic.
• Patient is younger than 6 months.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you have liver, kidney or lung disease.
• If you have diabetes, epilepsy or porphyria.
• If you have glaucoma.

Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons. You need smaller doses for shorter periods of time. You may develop agitation, rage or "hangover" effect.

Pregnancy:
Risk to unborn child outweighs drug benefits. Don't use.

Breast-feeding:
Drug passes into milk. Avoid drug or discontinue nursing until you finish medicine. Consult doctor for advice on maintaining milk supply.

Infants & children:
Use only under medical supervision for children older than 6 months.

Prolonged use:
May impair liver function.

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Don't drive or pilot aircraft until you learn how medicine affects you. Don't work around dangerous machinery. Don't climb ladders or work in high places. Danger increases if you drink alcohol or take medicine affecting alertness and reflexes.

Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without consulting doctor. Dose may require gradual reduction if you have taken drug for a long time. Doses of other drugs may also require adjustment.

Others:

• Hot weather, heavy exercise and profuse sweat may reduce excretion and cause overdose.
• Blood sugar may rise in diabetics, requiring insulin adjustment.
• Don't use for insomnia more than 4-7 days.
• Advise any doctor or dentist whom you consult that you take this medicine.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Anticonvulsants*	Change in seizure frequency or
	severity.
Antidepressants*	Increased sedative effect of both
	drugs.
Antihistamines*	Increased sedative effect of both
	drugs.
Antihypertensives*	Excessively low blood pressure.
Clozapine	Toxic effect on the central nervous
	system.
Contraceptives*,	Increased benzodiazepine effect.
oral
Disulfiram	Increased benzodiazepine effect.
Dronabinol	Increased effects of both drugs.
	Avoid.
Erythromycins*	Increased benzodiazepine effect.
Ketoconazole	Increased benzodiazepine effect.
Levodopa	Possible decreased levodopa effect.
MAO inhibitors*	Convulsions, deep sedation, rage.
Molindone	Increased tranquilizer effect.
Nabilone	Greater depression of central
	nervous system.
Narcotics*	Increased sedative effect of both
	drugs.
Nicotine	Increased benzodiazepine effect.
Nizatidine	Increased effect and toxicity of
	benzodiazepine.
Omeprazole	Delayed excretion of benzodiazepine
	causing increased amount of
	benzodiazepine in blood.
Probenecid	Increased benzodiazepine effect.
Sedatives*	Increased sedative effect of both
	drugs.
Sertraline	Increased depressive effects of
	both drugs.
Sleep inducers*	Increased sedative effect of both
	drugs.
Tranquilizers*	Increased sedative effect of both
	drugs.
Zidovudine	Increased toxicity of zidovudine.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	Heavy sedation. Avoid.
Beverages:	None expected.
Cocaine:	Decreased benzodiazepine effect.
Foods:	None expected.
Marijuana:	Heavy sedation. Avoid.
Tobacco:	Decreased benzodiazepine effect.